In the second scenario, you are a software development company using IPPD, using the Software CMM, and you want to use CMMI. You select the process areas at maturity levels 2 and 3 and choose the CMMI for Development +IPPD model.

This selection includes the following seven process areas at maturity level 2: Requirements Management, Project Planning, Project Monitoring and Control, Supplier Agreement Management, Measurement and Analysis, Process and Product Quality Assurance, and Configuration Management. It also includes the following 11 process areas at maturity level 3: Requirements Development, Technical Solution, Product Integration, Verification, Validation, Organizational Process Focus, Organizational Process Definition +IPPD, Organizational Training, Integrated Project Management +IPPD, Risk Management, and Decision Analysis and Resolution. You will also include the IPPD additions.

Since you have already been rated at maturity level 3 for the Software CMM, look at the CMMI process areas that were not in the Software CMM. These process areas include Measurement and Analysis, Requirements Development, Technical Solution, Product Integration, Verification, Validation, Risk Management, and Decision Analysis and Resolution. Determine if you have these processes in your organization even though they were not described in the Software CMM. If any processes in place correspond to these process areas and the other process areas that were in the Software CMM, perform a gap analysis against the goals and practices to make sure you addressed the intent of each CMMI process area.

Remember, in each process area you select, to look for information labeled “For Software Engineering” and “IPPD Addition.” Use all information that has no specific markings, as well as the material in boxes labeled “Staged Only.”

As you can see, the information provided in this document can be used in a variety of ways, depending on your improvement needs. The overall goal of CMMI is to provide a framework that can share consistent process improvement best practices and approaches, but can be flexible enough to address the rapidly changing needs of the community.