What CMMi is
Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) is a process-improvement framework, administered by the CMMI Institute — a subsidiary of ISACA — and originally developed at Carnegie Mellon University. It gives organisations a structured way to assess and improve how they deliver, across development, services and acquisition, against five maturity levels that run from ad-hoc and unpredictable (Level 1) through managed and defined to quantitatively managed and optimising (Level 5).
Why it matters, and who needs it
For software, IT services and engineering organisations, a CMMI maturity rating is a recognised, third-party signal that delivery is disciplined and repeatable rather than dependent on individual heroics. It is frequently a prerequisite in government, defence and large-enterprise procurement, where buyers want evidence that processes are defined and measured before they award work. The standard is most relevant to organisations bidding into those programmes, or scaling delivery and wanting a credible benchmark for process maturity.
Reaching a maturity level typically involves a gap assessment against your target level, the work to close those gaps and build the evidence base, and a formal appraisal. Level 2 establishes managed processes at the project level; Level 3 raises that to standardised, organisation-wide processes that are tailored per project.
How ABS approaches CMMi
ABS provides CMMI consulting and appraisal support, working with highly experienced certified lead appraisers recognised by the CMMI Institute and consultants who have spent years implementing the model. Formal appraisals are conducted through ISACA-recognised appraisal arrangements. Each engagement starts with a fixed-price scope and a realistic target level, so you know what the path looks like before you commit.