This presentation will show how to apply the CMMI in a business focussed way, by doing frequent assessments. Goals are input to the planning of assessments, a matrix is used to assure both organisation and process area coverage, and the results of assessments integrate smoothly within operational targets of existing groups within the organisation. Practical tools support the frequent assessments, and experience with the CMMI is used to optimize the assessment and improvement cycle, resulting in continuously improving the performance of the organisation towards its goals.

1. Reaching Business Goals
with Value Adding CMMI Assessments
ESEPG conference 2001, june 11-14, Amsterdam
Ben Linders
Ericsson EuroLab Netherlands, Rijen (N.B.)
Ben.Linders@eln.ericsson.se, +31 161 24 9885
ESEPG 2001, June 11-14, Amsterdam 1 Ben Linders, Ericsson EuroLab
Netherlands

2. Overview
• How did we get here?
• Assessment method
(CMMI Class C)
• Tools and experiences
Its all about making money
(as usual)!
ESEPG 2001, June 11-14, Amsterdam 2 Ben Linders, Ericsson EuroLab
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3. Ericsson EuroLab Netherlands
• Worldwide Ericsson R&D company
• Wide product range:
– Base stations, UMTS
– Charging, Internet Applications
– Intelligent Networks and Services, Announcements
– Bluetooth, Business Cordless
• 1100 employees, in the south (Rijen) and the
east (Enschede, Emmen)
• Long CMM(I) experience
ESEPG 2001, June 11-14, Amsterdam 3 Ben Linders, Ericsson EuroLab
Netherlands

4. Assessment history
• Level based assessments
• Building improvement culture
² Conflict of interest
• Business Goals:
– Why,
– What,
– When to improve
Assessment is part of improvement
ESEPG 2001, June 11-14, Amsterdam 4 Ben Linders, Ericsson EuroLab
Netherlands

5. Business Goals Examination
• Examine your Goals:
– Will you reach them?
– If not, where are improvements needed?
• Define your Priorities:
– How urgent is improvement needed?
– When can you take action?
²Assessment with goal based focus and scope
ESEPG 2001, June 11-14, Amsterdam 5 Ben Linders, Ericsson EuroLab
Netherlands

6. Assessment Scope Setting
• Organisation • Model, Process Areas
– Orderer – Contribute to goals
– Customers – Project, Process and/or
– Work done Engineering Areas
– Support – Support Areas
• Concepts
– Don’t include everybody Match between Goals,
– 360 degrees Organisation, and models
– Any model can do
ESEPG 2001, June 11-14, Amsterdam 6 Ben Linders, Ericsson EuroLab
Netherlands

7. Assessment planning and execution
• Resource the assessment team
• Plan assessment
– Select who to interview
– Define timeline
• Execute
– Kick off, distribute questionnaires, fill in
– Collect, extract findings, consensus meeting
– Final meeting, action follow up
ESEPG 2001, June 11-14, Amsterdam 7 Ben Linders, Ericsson EuroLab
Netherlands

8. Method conclusions
• Orderer and customer for
every assessment
• Business goals and
improvement needs clear
• Efficient assessment
• Immediate follow up with
actions
Effective business
focused assessments!
ESEPG 2001, June 11-14, Amsterdam 8 Ben Linders, Ericsson EuroLab
Netherlands

9. Tools: Assessment Matrix
• Multiple small CMMI Assessment matrix Example
assessments Process Area
Product Area Prod A Prod B Prod C
Project Management
• Time dispersed Project Planning No
Project Monitoring and Control Q2 2001 (P)
Integrated Project Management No
• Purpose:
Risk Management Q4 2000
Quantitative Project Management
Support
– Overview Configuration Management Q4 2000
Process & Product Quality Assurance
– Frequency Measurement and Analysis
Q1 2001 No
Causal Analysis & Resolution Q2 2001 (P)
– Focus Decision Analysis & Resolution Q4 2000
ESEPG 2001, June 11-14, Amsterdam 9 Ben Linders, Ericsson EuroLab
Netherlands

10. Tools: Assessment questionnaire
• Assessments done:
Time # model Scope (Areas)
Q1 2000 3 CMM/SW All level 2 + 3 areas
Q4 2000 4 CMMI Project, Process, Req. Man.
Q1 2001 2 CMMI/SW Engineering, Process
Q2 2001 1 CMMI Project
• Goals/activities text from CMMI, with phrasing
tailored (terminology)
• Word, Excel, and web based tools (pilots)
ESEPG 2001, June 11-14, Amsterdam 10 Ben Linders, Ericsson EuroLab
Netherlands

11. Tools conclusions
• Matrix tool highly valued
by Management Team
• Need for lightweight
questionnaire tool
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Netherlands

12. Conclusions, where do we go from here?
• Business Goals focus is a winner
– Assessments with a clear need and customer
– Useful actions, strong commitment
• Method will be spread within Ericsson
• Matrix supports planning
– Reduces need for expensive full assessments
– Priorities and focus
ESEPG 2001, June 11-14, Amsterdam 12 Ben Linders, Ericsson EuroLab
Netherlands