Thinking About CMM

Some things learned in the academia can have practical significance. One thing I learned in a dry, theory-laden unit was the concept of Capability Maturity Model (CMM). It is summed in the following diagram.

[caption id="attachment_804" align="aligncenter" width="480" caption="Capability Maturity Model"][/caption]

The CMM can help locate where an organization or a unit within an organization is in relation to a particular process or functional capability.

In a sense, CMM does for organizations what Maslow's hierarchy of needs does for human beings. The latter claims that lofty human needs cannot be fulfilled before satisfying baser needs.

By helping organizations assess their capabilities or lack thereof, CMM can point out where an organisation or a team needs to pour its resources before planning grand but doomed schemes.