Difference Between CMM vs CMMI

Here is a comparison chart that summarizes the main differences between CMM and CMMI:

Feature	CMM	CMMI
Focus	Software development	A wide range of disciplines including software engineering, systems engineering, product development, project management, and service management
Maturity levels	5 levels	3 maturity levels and 5 capability levels
Purpose	Assessing the maturity of an organization’s processes and practices	Assessing and improving the maturity of an organization’s processes and practices
Industries	Software development	A wide range of industries
Process improvement model	Linear	Staged

It’s important to note that both CMM and CMMI are widely accepted and used in the industry and they both have their own benefits and drawbacks. The choice of which one to use depends on the specific context and goals of an organization.

Similarities Between CMM vs CMMI

CMM and CMMI are both frameworks developed by the Software Engineering Institute (SEI) at Carnegie Mellon University to evaluate and improve the processes and practices of an organization. Here are some similarities between the two:

1. Both CMM and CMMI were developed by the SEI at Carnegie Mellon University and share the same goal of improving the performance of organizations by evaluating and improving their processes and practices.
2. Both CMM and CMMI provide a structured approach to evaluating and improving the maturity of an organization’s processes and practices.
3. Both CMM and CMMI are widely accepted and used in the industry, and have been used by organizations in various industries and disciplines to improve their performance.
4. Both CMM and CMMI provide a clear path for process improvement and help organizations to identify areas for improvement and implement best practices.
5. Both CMM and CMMI are based on a model that describes the key elements of an effective process and provide a clear path for process improvement.
6. Both CMM and CMMI are used for continuous improvement, so that organizations can gradually improve their processes and practices over time.
7. Both CMM and CMMI are based on a process-oriented approach, it means that both frameworks are focused on the process, not on the product.
8. Both CMM and CMMI are used for certification, organizations can be certified in both frameworks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about CMM and CMMI:

1. What is the main difference between CMM and CMMI?
   CMM is focused primarily on software development, whereas CMMI is more comprehensive and covers a wide range of disciplines including software engineering, systems engineering, product development, project management, and service management. CMM has five levels of maturity, whereas CMMI has three maturity levels and five capability levels.
2. Which one should I use, CMM or CMMI?
   The choice of which one to use depends on the specific context and goals of your organization. CMM is mainly used for evaluating the maturity of software development processes, whereas CMMI is used for a wide range of industries.
3. Can an organization be certified in both CMM and CMMI?
   Yes, an organization can be certified in both CMM and CMMI.
4. Is CMM or CMMI better for process improvement?
   Both CMM and CMMI provide a clear path for process improvement and help organizations to identify areas for improvement and implement best practices. The choice of which one to use depends on the specific context and goals of your organization.
5. Is CMM or CMMI more widely accepted in the industry?
   Both CMM and CMMI are widely accepted and used in the industry.
6. Are CMM and CMMI based on a process-oriented approach? Yes, both CMM and CMMI are based on a process-oriented approach, it means that both frameworks are focused on the process, not on the product.
7. Can CMM or CMMI be used for continuous improvement?
   Yes, both CMM and CMMI are used for continuous improvement, so that organizations can gradually improve their processes and practices over time.

Reference Books

Here are some reference books that provide more information on CMM and CMMI:

1. “Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) Distilled: A Practical Introduction to Integrated Process Improvement” by Dennis M. Ahern, Aaron Clouse, and Richard Turner. This book provides a practical introduction to CMMI and how it can be used to improve the performance of organizations.
2. “Software Configuration Management Patterns: Effective Teamwork, Practical Integration” by Stephen P. Berczuk and Brad Appleton. This book provides a detailed look at software configuration management and how it relates to CMM and CMMI.
3. “Achieving CMMI(R) High Maturity” by Dennis M. Ahern and Aaron Clouse. This book is a guide for organizations that are working to achieve high maturity with CMMI.
4. “Introduction to the Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI)” by Mary Beth Chrissis, Mike Konrad, and Sandy Shrum. This book provides a comprehensive introduction to CMMI and how it can be used to improve the performance of organizations.
5. “Practical Software Configuration Management” by Kevin W. Young. This book provides a practical guide to software configuration management and how it relates to CMM and CMMI.
6. “CMMI for Services: Guidelines for Superior Service” by Mary Beth Chrissis and Karen Whitmore. This book provides a guide for organizations that are working to improve their service processes using CMMI.
7. “CMM and CMMI: Guidelines for Process Integration and Product Improvement” by Margaret Kulpa and Kent Johnson. This book provides a comprehensive look at CMM and CMMI and how they can be used to improve the performance of organizations.

These books are considered as good reference material for learning more about CMM and CMMI and provide guidance on how to implement and improve the processes using these frameworks.