In diagnosing or verifying the current state of the organization, CMMI provides alternatives for very formal appraisals as well as less formal gap analyses. All CMMI appraisals incorporate common process assessment principles:
- Senior management sponsorship of the appraisal
- Business objectives as the focus that drives the appraisal
- Confidentiality of interviews
- Use of a documented appraisal method
- Use of CMMI as a process reference model
- A collaborative team approach
- A focus on actions for process improvement
The most rigorous appraisal approach (often referred to as a "certification process") is known as the Standard CMMI Appraisal Method for Process Improvement (SCAMPISM). Less rigorous appraisals are generally used for internal self-assessment or for interim progress assessments.
Appraisals, as well as the overall improvement process, must fit into the organization's strategic plan. Organizations invest in their improvement on a continuous basis, with a level of investment justified by projected improvements in areas such as productivity, quality, and customer satisfaction. Planning for process improvement is often done, therefore, as part of the annual strategic planning cycle, deciding which opportunities for improvement are most appropriate for current and long-term business needs.
