Do you have what it takes . . . ?

To pursue CMMI and/or to reap the benefits of agile requires more than just desire at the working level.  It takes:

• honesty
• learning
• transparency
• respect
• support
• trust
• patience
• commitment (to excellence)

Not just from people who will feel the changes most immediately but from the top-most person in the company on down to those people whose work support the people who will feel the changes most.

If you have an executive who declares: we want "maturity level __” by such-and-so date, and doesn’t themselves bother to take the time to understand what that means, you don’t have what it takes.

If you have an executive who declares: we want "to be more agile” but doesn’t allow developers to organize their workspace or their time, you don’t have what it takes.

If you have an executive who doesn’t care how negatively a drastic poorly considered change will impact the developers, you don’t have what it takes.

If you have an executive who expects everyone but themselves to change or expects that hiring an outsider can eliminate the hard work needed to move from the present situation to the desired state, you don’t have what it takes.

Might I recommend this course for getting to know CMMI, at least.  It can be attended in person or on line.  Live.