What does a CMMI Consultant dealing with CMMI High Maturity require as additional knowledge base in comparison to the CMMI Consultant working at CMMI Maturity Level 2 and 3?

CMMI FAQ 0

22nd July, 2014

CMMI Model has five Maturity Levels. They start from Level 2 to Level 5. Around 2007, it was observed that the Lead Appraisers require a specialized understanding of the concepts at CMMI Maturity Level 4 and Maturity Level 5. This lead to the development of the concept of High Maturity Lead Appraiser (HMLA) and the term High Maturity came into vogue much more than it was popular earlier for the organizations trying to achieve CMMI Maturity Level 4 and 5. Software Engineering Institute introduced the High Maturity Training Program. I attended one such program in its initial years. (I think it was 2007). It was a 3-day program. That was conducted by Will Hayes and Rusty Young. It was early days of new concepts of High Maturity discussion and there was good interaction. The focus was on the understanding of statistical sub-process control and also process performance models. The criteria for process performance models (PPMs) were evolving and the new definitions were taking shape. The prediction and its significance was brought out in clear focus at the Maturity Level 4 and It was being pointed out that one of the major characteristics of CMMI Maturity Level 4 organizations is the capability to take pro-active action based on prediction. The new definition of Process Performance Model required that the prediction has to be in a range rather than a point. The acceptable techniques for developing PPMs included use of statistical, probabilistic or simulation methods. Because of this, the use of tools like Minitab (statistics based PPMs) and Crystal Ball (Probabilistic Monte Carlo simulation based PPMs) became more popular in organizations working for CMMI Maturity Level 4 and 5. Keeping in view this background, a CMMI Consultant who works with CMMI High Maturity Organizations, requires sound and in-depth knowledge of statistical, probabilistic and simulation concepts and Subject Matter Expertise with tools like Minitab, Crystal Ball, SAS, etc. Also, the CMMI Consultant working at High Maturity should be able to guide the organization for use of statistical and probabilistic concepts in such a manner that they are able to predict the key performance indicators using the PPMs and continue to build up data on validating the future use of PPMs.