What CMMI for Development is
CMMI (Capability Maturity Model Integration), administered by ISACA, is a globally recognised model for improving how an organisation performs its work and for measuring the maturity of those processes. The Development view — CMMI-DEV — applies the model to organisations that design and build products, software and systems. Rather than prescribing particular tools, it describes the engineering and management practices that consistently produce better outcomes, and provides a scale for benchmarking how reliably an organisation performs them.
The maturity levels
CMMI is structured around five maturity levels, each building on the last:
- Level 1 — Initial: processes are ad hoc and unpredictable
- Level 2 — Managed: processes are planned, performed and measured at the project level
- Level 3 — Defined: processes are standardised across the organisation
- Level 4 — Quantitatively Managed: processes are controlled using statistical and quantitative techniques
- Level 5 — Optimizing: the organisation continually improves process performance
Buyers in enterprise, government and defence supply chains frequently ask suppliers to demonstrate a particular maturity level before awarding work.
Appraisal, not certification
An important distinction: CMMI maturity is confirmed through an appraisal, not a certification. The formal appraisal method is the current CMMI Appraisal Method, conducted by an appraisal team led by a certified Lead Appraiser, and the result is typically valid for three years. This is why the industry speaks of an organisation being “appraised at Maturity Level 3” rather than “certified.”
How ABS supports CMMI-DEV
ABS provides CMMI implementation and appraisal-readiness consulting; formal Benchmark or Sustainment Appraisals are performed through appropriately authorised CMMI appraisal professionals in accordance with current ISACA CMMI requirements. Our consultants bring a minimum of 8–10 years’ hands-on experience implementing CMMI.
We support development organisations end to end on the journey to their target maturity level: gap analysis and current-state assessment, CMMI overview training, a process-improvement strategy and roadmap, process definition and documentation, establishing a measurement framework, software quality assurance (SQA) support, and preparation for and support through the formal appraisal, which is led by an authorised Lead Appraiser. The emphasis is on building processes that genuinely improve delivery — not paperwork for an appraisal alone.
It suits software, product and systems development organisations, and is especially relevant to SaaS and IT businesses competing for maturity-gated contracts. Organisations that both build and operate software often pair it with CMMI for Services. See the full CMMI & Process category for related work.
Common questions
Is CMMI a certification?
No. CMMI maturity is confirmed through an appraisal, not a certification. The formal method is the current CMMI Appraisal Method, carried out by an appraisal team led by a certified Lead Appraiser, and the result is typically valid for three years — which is why the correct term is “appraisal,” not “certificate.”
Which CMMI maturity level do we need?
It depends on what your customers and contracts require. Many enterprise, government and defence tenders specify Maturity Level 3, while some require Level 2. ABS assesses your current state against the target level and builds a roadmap to close the gap.
