Appraisal
An appraisal is a review of an organization with regard to the implementation of the requirements of a process model such as Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI). The previous model Capability Maturity Model (CMM) and ISO / IEC 15504 (SPICE) use the term assessment instead of appraisal - it means the same thing.
The Software Engineering Institute (SEI) at Carnegie Mellon University, as the author of the CMMI, however, uses appraisal as a generic term, while assessment only refers to such appraisals that serve to improve their own processes. There is also the term evaluation , i.e. an appraisal that is carried out by a (possible) client to select or monitor its suppliers. At CMM there were different methods for assessments and evaluations. At CMMI, these have been combined, and now only appraisals are mentioned. This distinction does not exist in the relevant ISO / IEC 15504, but assessment is used as a generic term .
Appraisal types
The SEI defines three types of appraisals:
- Class A appraisal
- high volume, approx. once a year, at least three certificates per statement, aims at a rating (capability level and / or maturity level)
- Class B appraisal
- Medium scope, approx. once or twice a year, at least two proofs per statement, aims to determine strengths and weaknesses for process improvement
- Class C appraisal
- Small scope, often, one proof per statement, aims at continuous observation / evaluation of the process improvement
method
The SEI has published a procedure for each of the three appraisal types ( Standard CMMI Appraisal Method for Process Improvement , SCAMPI for short ). These appraisal methods check the implementation of the Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) in an organization. A lead appraiser (or team lead) trained and authorized by the SEI is required to carry out an appraisal according to the SCAMPI procedure of the SEI. A maturity rating of an organization is an industry recognized award.