Choices that affect a CMMI-based appraisal include the following:

·   Which CMMI model to use for the appraisal (for this constellation, the choice would be between the CMMI for Development model and the CMMI for Development +IPPD model)

·   Establishing the appraisal scope, including the organizational unit to be appraised, the CMMI process areas to be investigated, and the maturity level or capability level(s) to be appraised

·   Selecting the appraisal method

·   Selecting the appraisal team members

·   Selecting appraisal participants from the appraisal entities to be interviewed

·   Establishing appraisal outputs (e.g., ratings or instantiation-specific findings)

·   Establishing appraisal constraints (e.g., time spent on site)

The SCAMPI MDD allows the selection of predefined options for use in an appraisal. These appraisal options are designed to help organizations align CMMI with their business needs and objectives.

Documentation of CMMI appraisal plans and results must always include a description of the appraisal options, model scope, and organizational scope selected. This documentation confirms whether an appraisal meets the requirements for benchmarking.

For organizations that wish to appraise multiple functions or groups, CMMI’s integrated approach enables some economy of scale in model and appraisal training. One appraisal method can provide separate or combined results for multiple functions.

The appraisal principles for the CMMI Product Suite[1] remain the same as those used in appraisals for other process improvement models. Those principles are as follows:

·   Senior management sponsorship[2]

·   A focus on the organization’s business objectives

·   Confidentiality for interviewees

·   Use of a documented appraisal method

·   Use of a process reference model (e.g., a CMMI model) as a base

·   A collaborative team approach

·   A focus on actions for process improvement