Entinex, Translating technology dollars into business sense, The Technology Strategy Company.Entinex Translates
About UsReading RoomServicesContact UsHomeTechnology
As difficult as it is to buy the right software, you’d think they’d call it hardware. You need to be an expert in how to buy software. You need to know how to write a software specification. For every business there are many problems or needs that can be addressed. Technology will only be able to solve certain problems. For every one of those there are many technologies that will work. For every technology there are many more products or solutions of that technology. And, for every product or solution there are that many more vendors. How do you know if the vendor you picked is even going to have a product, a technology or a solution that can solve your problem and that it's the right problem to solve with technology? First you need to figure out which business problems need to be solved. Then you need to narrow down which of those business problems can be solved with technology. After that you need to determine which technologies are the right ones to apply to solve those problems. Only then can you identify the technology product or solution to address those needs. Don't even think about talking to a developer or vendor until you've done these steps. CMMI can be applied to small companies and in agile development environments and methods.You can achieve a CMMI level rating even though you use XP (Extreme Programming) or another Agile Development approach or method.Looking for help implementing CMMI? Need someone who will understand that 'your're different?' Looking for discipline in a lightweight environment? Entinex understands and can help you achieve your process objectives.Software development isn't manufacturing. So why do people keep trying to use manufacturing methods on software? Manufacturing QA doesn't work in software which is why so much software QA is so painful. Entinex has the solution. Don't let obsolete thinking about software processes intimidate you out of pursuing a CMMI level rating. Old-style thinking about software processes have not kept up with the times, but Entinex has. Entinex understands that you're in business not for the process but to make money selling software products, solutions, and services. Let Entinex help you achieve your process goals without breaking your bank or rhythm.

Tools Towards CMMI, page 2.
outsourced CIO, technology strategy, technology strategy consulting, technology advisor, trusted advisor, executive advisor, technology consulting, technology management, technology management consulting, technical consulting, technical consultant, how to pick a vendor, how to pick a software vendor, how to pick a software developer, how to pick a software company, how to pick software, how to pick the right software, how to choose a software developer, technology consultant, business process re-engineering, software architect, software architecture, process assets, process consulting, process improvement, software process improvement, CMMI, SCAMPI, CMM, ISO 9000, SEI, capability maturity model, capability maturity model integration, software engineering institute, process consultant, software method, management method, delopment method, process maturity, capability maturity, maturity level, capability level, CMMI, SCAMPI, CMM, ISO 9000, SEI, level 2, level 3, level 4, level 5, appraisal, lead appraiser, level rating, how to estimate software
Get FREE Techhology Strategy Advice from Entinex
Can't find what you're looking for? We're glad to help!
 

Proudly, an:
We adhere to the SEI's Ethics and Compliance Standards of Excellence

Licensed to deliver
CMMI SCAMPI and
Introduction to CMMI Services.
We abide by the SEI's Ethics and Compliance Standards of Excellence

Become a Fan on
Facebook

Follow our CEO on
Twitter

 

 

 

©2004, by Hillel Glazer, Entinex, Inc.

CMMI and Tools

In trying to achieve any advanced CMMI levels (3 or above), you need to demonstrate maturity in software process management.   However companies who don’t understand CMMI often make the mistake of slapping tools in place like a band-aid to solve their process short-comings or lack of discipline. That’s failure and frustration in the making.

This is like a problem faced by most software teams: Isn’t it true that to achieve the client’s desired results, business processes must be defined and "correct" before automating them with software?  Physician, heal thy self!

However, if you’ve defined a process and understand the goals of that process, the right tool can save tremendous effort and time.  Consider the CMMI process areas of requirements management, and project monitoring and control, two early process areas required for being appraised to CMMI Level 2 (staged).  With these two process areas implemented properly, software teams can minimize scope creep by ensuring there is a process that captures and communicates agreed-upon requirements, and manage expectations by keeping their clients abreast of project status without the unpleasant surprises.

A common theme in both of these process areas is communication.  That’s where a tool can help.  Just as e-mail and Web sites improved many aspects of communication, the role of tools in pursuit of CMMI is in their ability to improve communication among developers and with their clients.  Tools allow developers to avoid "reinventing the wheel" once they’ve figured out what processes work best for them.

Where Artifact Comes In

Some tools come with basic processes in anticipation of best or common practices.  Artifact is such a tool.  In terms of supporting CMMI, it facilitates communication, streamlines workflow, provides a repository for project documents and a place to keep a record of decisions and track issues to closure.  It does so without presuming your process, but also comes with a nascent process based on years of successful distributed development.

Like any tool, Artifact does not make companies "compliant to CMMI". Rather, it gives an edge to companies who have, or are working toward, mature processes.  It facilitates the key goals found throughout CMMI of involving relevant stakeholders, monitoring progress against plans, and keeping track of changes to work products and plans as the project goes forward.  To emulate CMMI, it’s important to first understand the role of processes in managing development.  Look at Artifact when you need a tool that supports CMMI.

<<< Back to page 1

Printer-Friendly

 

 

 

Copyright Notice and Reproduction Permission
All Contents © Copyright Entinex, Inc.  All rights reserved.  These works may be freely reproduced, distributed, or transmitted solely for non-commercial, personal, or educational purposes, provided that they are not modified and any reproduction or transmission contains this copyright notice and the author’s complete bio and company information as provided.  Nothing else may otherwise be used, reproduced, published, or disseminated without prior written permission.

 

  
Did you know that your technology project has an 80% chance of failing? Do you know what to do to improve those odds? Do you know what to ask your software developer or vendor to make sure they know what to do so that the project you're paying them to do doesn't fail?
Would you like your software estimates to improve? Would you like to have predictability and consistency in your software projects? Wouldn't it be nice if you could forecast your capacity for new work and your sales effort? Wouldn't better estimats result in happier clients?

Entinex, Inc., A GLOBAL Company Based in Baltimore - Washington | 877-ENTINEX | Contact Us
©2004-10 Entinex, Inc. All rights reserved. | See our Privacy Policy and Disclaimer