KC 3.3.4.2 - Using Models for Assessment & Baseline-2

Assessment Principles

• Start with an appraisal reference model.
• Use a formalized appraisal process.
• Involve senior management as appraisal sponsor.
• Focus the appraisal on the sponsors business objectives
• Observe strict confidentiality and non-attribution of data.
• Approach the appraisal collaboratively.
• Focus on follow-on activities and decision-making based upon the appraisal results.

Assessments can be at different stages of the implementation of the model. There are different kinds of assessments, for example Class-A, Class-B and Class-C. The Assessments help the Organizations in several different ways.

Using the Assessment with a business perspective with whatever model the organisation chose:

• The gap between the needs expressed in the business goals and the existing state of practices,
• The level of achievement of quality goals;
• Previous assessment results,
• The appropriateness of the ongoing
• improvements, (their suitability to business)
• Performance goals, any difficulty or adaptation/modification necessary, possibly some Return on Investment (ROI)
• Trends.

The best example for using models for Assessment & Baselining is CMMI. CMMI uses SCAMPI (Class-A) appraisal process for the final assessment, but before that the organisation can go for different classes of appraisals before they go for the final appraisal.

Using the CMMI model with a business perspective

• The gap between the needs expressed in the business goals and the existing state of practices,
• The level of achievement of CMMI PA goals;
• Previous assessment results,
• The appropriateness of the ongoing improvements, (their suitability to business)
• Performance goals, any difficulty or adaptation/modification necessary, possibly some
• Return on Investment (ROI)
• Trends.

Using CMMI, the initial appraisal, Class-B for instance is used for the gap-analysis. Then, using the same model, the maturity of the organisation is baselined at certain level (varying from 2 to 5) based on the performance. Similarly, other models can be used for Assessment and Baselining.