The ARC document describes the requirements for several types of appraisals. A full benchmarking class of appraisal is defined as a Class A appraisal. Less formal methods are defined as Class B or Class C methods. The ARC document was designed to help improve consistency across appraisal methods, and to help appraisal method developers, sponsors, and users understand the tradeoffs associated with various methods [SEI 2006a].

Depending on the purpose of the appraisal and the nature of the circumstances, one class may be preferred over the others. Sometimes self-assessments, initial appraisals, quick-look, or mini-appraisals, incremental appraisals, or external appraisals are appropriate, and other times a formal benchmarking appraisal is appropriate.

A particular appraisal method is declared an ARC Class A, B, or C appraisal method based on the sets of ARC requirements that the method developer addressed when designing the method.

More information about the ARC is available on the SEI Web site at www.sei.cmu.edu/cmmi/appraisals/appraisals.html.