The Software Engineering Institute's Capability Maturity Model (CMM) has been widely adopted by companies seeking enhanced quality and heightened productivity in software development. The CMM enables managers to measure their organization's capabilities against a ecognized standard and to determine their relative level of software process maturity. This unique book offers step-by-step instruction on how to put the CMM into practice and how to conduct software process improvement within your own organization. Drawing on her first-hand experience leading process improvement groups in a large corporation, the author provides sound advice on how to get started, points out the problems that are likely to be encountered, and offers workable solutions that have been proven effective in CMM implementation. This book is precisely the guide she would have welcomed when first performing this critical task. The accompanying CD-ROM contains a range of templates, sample documents, and presentation materials that will facilitate the work of both new and experienced software process professionals.

Table of contents :
1 Introduction: Performing Software Process Improvement
2 Assumptions: Turning the Culture Around
3 Assessments: Looking at Your Reflection in the Mirror
4 Improvement Cycles: Dancing With the Rhythms
5 Action Plans: Preparing for Movement
6 Process Documents: Collaborating to Define the Steps
7 Process Implementation: Lifting the Spirits of the Performers
8 Perspectives: Dancing Together and Creating a Better Performance
Appendices
References
Index