CMMI® or Agile: Why Not Embrace Both!

The third technical note to get started in 2008 is finally published with a cushion of 50 days left in the year!

:-)

Yes, my friends, *the* paper we've all been waiting for has made it through the gauntlet of reviews and approvals at the SEI (which is, after all, still part of a major research university, CMU, so let's cut them some slack), and has been released!

This is likely the most fanfare it will get.  It's just not really their style, or mine, so it's rather suiting.

I would, however, like to put in appropriate props for my co-authors, Jeff Dalton, David Anderson, Mike Konrad, and Sandy Shrum.  They were a pleasure to work and collaborate with the entire time.  Despite not appearing at the top of the list, Mike and Sandy must own stock in the only thing worth any thing these days: midnight oil.  Thanks to them this paper even got out while the year still reads "2008".

Thanks also goes out to everyone with whom I've discussed the content of the paper, reviewed sections, and to my friends in Mt. Crested Butte, CO who provided great ideas back in September 2007.

Writing this entry from Mar del Plata, Argentina, where I've finished teaching the Introduction to CMMI Services Supplement earlier today and where the SEPG-LA starts tomorrow, and where I'm keynoting (now) on Thursday, is rather poetic to the whole episode:  Just another tick in the clock of time where I find myself away from home.  Working, teaching, speaking, and again amazed that I'm experiencing all of it.

Today, in the lobby, I met Edward James Olmos.  I'm sure I'll come up with some way to connect his latest hit to CMMI and Agile.  And, no, the SEI are not Cylons!  Nice try.  Read the paper.

Well, it's well past my bed time out here.  Busy days coming.

Peace to you.

Happy Holidays!

Greetings All!

Although Hanukka has already come and gone this season, in many "Western" cultures this time of year is when many people take time off and nestle with their families in their homes or elsewhere, or jaunt off to their favorite vacation spots -- and generally take a well-needed and typically overdue break from the usual routine.

I'd like to take a moment to thank everyone for their readership and interest in the subject and to wish everyone a very safe, happy, healthy and Peace-filled December/January Holiday season.

OK, since you're here, I'll offer-up a thought or two about Agile + CMMI.
Looking back on the year, we (Mike Konrad, Jeff Dalton, Mike Phillips, and others) are working on a publication on the topic (official from the SEI and everything).

Between that effort and my other work and reading it's becoming painfully clear that the supposed rift between CMMI and Agile is really a matter of bad PR. CMMI is poorly understood even among too many seasoned process professionals. And, Agile is frequently abused by developers feigning use of defined development methods or management seeking new ways of cutting corners instead of actually reducing improving productivity and/or reducing waste.

I've also noted some other interesting observations along the way.

It seems to be easier to explain:
-) the correct concepts of CMMI to a true agile practitioner or
-) agile concepts to one of the few process professionals who understand CMMI correctly

than it is to educate:
-) a supposed process professional deficient in both CMMI and agile knowledge such that they can be proficient in either/both, and
-) I assume the same can be said of teaching agile concepts to the hard-line agile posers (let alone teaching them proper CMMI).

So... in this regard... let me make the following offer:

Please contact me if you're interested in working in Agile+CMMI consulting.
2008 is lining-up to be quite exciting here, and I'm always looking for folks who "get it".

All the best.

Hey.... Thanks for noticing.

This entry is just a public thank you shout-out to the folks at Computer Aid, Inc. "The World Leader in IT Process and Productivity", for bothering themselves to notice this blog in their recent IT Metrics and Productivity Journal issue.

I and everyone working to close the gap between CMMI and Agile appreciate your contribution to spreading the word.