Archive for the ‘CMMI’ Category

So you’re really interested in CMMI for the rating only….

Sunday, December 6th, 2009

What can you do?

This entry addresses an important tip in those cases where you need to demonstrate a CMMI rating even thoughyou’d otherwise have no intrinsic business reason compelling you to do so.

But first, I admonish organizations doing the compulsory CMMI ratings requirements in the first place.  So, if you’re a company being externally compelled to get a rating (which is different from being told “you need to improve!”), you might want to send a link to this finger-wagging to whoever needs to hear it.

However, as such a company being externally compelled to use CMMI (just to get a rating), this tip will make it MUCH easier and more beneficial.

Oh, one more thing…. I don’t mention this in the clip: If you’re such a company, don’t look to hire the cheapest, fastest appraiser/appraisal you can find.  Doing that will only make the cost and pain worse.  Both, short-term and long-term.

NEXT WEEK: Everything you thought you knew about CMMI is wrong.

Posted in CMMI, COTR, Contracting, Cost, Quality, Time | Comments Off

Getting Started with CMMI and/or Agile.

Monday, November 30th, 2009

Why you’re probably not equipped to be asking the the questions!

Starting a CMMI or Agile initiative is a culture-changing endeavor.  Don’t underestimate the changes you’ll undergo.

Both CMMI and Agile often require fundamental shifts in culture that usually results in making <gasp!> changes to how things are in your business!

This in-your-face provocative < 3min video is intended to alert executives interested in either CMMI or Agile (or both) that there are no easy answers as to the question often on their lips: “what does it take to do ____ ?”  And, that to do justice to their business, they’ll need to devote some time to understanding even the basic context in which to understand any answers they receive (let alone use) about deciding to move forward with an improvement effort.

After all, if everything were going perfectly now, executives wouldn’t be seeking changes to improve, so when it comes to making improvements, there’s going to have to be change — so get ready!

(I’m assuming [big time] that moving forward with either CMMI or Agile is to achieve some improvement in something!)

In my next installation, I’ll talk about what to do when you really only need a CMMI ‘level’ and aren’t so much interested in any improvement.

Posted in Agile, CMMI, Culture, Executives, Getting Started | 1 Comment »

After a bit of disappointing information… Time to grow up!

Thursday, November 26th, 2009

What turned out to be a failed meeting with a far away  prospect reinforced lessons I learned a while ago…. 


About what it takes to be successful in business, with Agile, with CMMI, and about creating a culture of excellence.


Can’t wait for the lesson?


Here’s the bottom line:  the discipline to improve shows up all the time, everywhere and in every action.  Failure to respect time, respect what people know, and the experience/expertise of your subordinates are all BIG CLUES that your organization doesn’t have the culture or discipline to succeed.  Even when you’re in the middle of hiring someone to help you get it.

Posted in Agile, Business, CMMI, Culture of Excellence, Discipline | 2 Comments »