CMMI Terminology (CMMI Terms) – Important Terms

Appraisal Requirements for CMMI (ARC) Document
Developed by SEI, ARC document provide information on the Appraisal Requirements. ARC Document can be found here.

CMMI AS-IS Assessment
CMMI AS-IS Assessment is conducted to check the current CMMI Process Implementation status of the organization across on-going and closed projects (product applications) being implemented or developed by an organization.

CMMI Assessment Report
Report prepared by the Assessor and or Assessment Team. CMMI Assessment Report is prepared based on the assessment conducted to evaluate compliance and measure the effectiveness of implementation of CMMI Process Model Framework’s Process Areas (PAs) and their respective Specific Practices (SPs).

CMMI Pre Assessment
CMMI Pre-Assessment is conducted before the Organization attempts the formal SCAMPI A Assessment. CMMI Pre-Assessment helps in highlighting the Positive Compliance, Non-Compliances and Opportunities for Improvement.

CMMI Representation
Presentation of a CMMI’s components is possible in two different ways i.e. the staged representation and the continuous representation.

CMMI Constellations
Constellation is a collection of CMMI components that are used to develop models, training materials, and appraisal related documents for different cmmi models i.e. development, services and acquisition).

High Maturity Lead Appraiser (HLMA)
The SEI Certified Assessor is known as Lead Appraiser or High Maturity Lead Appraiser depending on the maturity level to be assessed. A High Maturity Lead Appraiser can officially conducted Assessment for both High Maturity Levels i.e. Maturity Level 4 & 5 and Low Maturity Level i.e. Maturity Level 2 & 3.

High Maturity
CMMI Maturity Level 4 and 5 are known as High Maturity Levels.

Lead Appraiser (LA) or Low Maturity Appraiser
The SEI Certified Assessor is known as Lead Appraiser or High Maturity Lead Appraiser depending on the maturity level to be assessed. A Lead Appraiser (or Low Maturity Appraiser) is the one who can conduct assessment for Low Maturity Levels i.e. Maturity Level 2 & 3 only.

Low Maturity
CMMI Maturity Level 2 and 3 are known as Low Maturity Levels.

Maturity Level Rating
Maturity level ratings are awarded for Maturity Levels 2 through 5. Ratings are awarded by SEI Certified Assessor and awarded after the conduct of SCAMPI A Assessment.

SEI Certified Assessor
CMMI Assessment is conducted by an Assessor who is certified by SEI to be an SEI Certified Assessor.

Staged Representation
When CMMI Process Areas are implementation in the groups which leads to achieving of a Maturity Level. Each maturity Level builds a foundation for Predecessor Levels.

Standard CMMI Appraisal Method for Process Improvement (SCAMPI) Method Definition Document
Developed by SEI, SCAMPI MDD Document provides information on the CMMI Assessment Methodology. SCAMPI Document can be found here.