The CMMI Difference
Curtiss-Wright Controls Defense Systems in Santa Clarita, CA is appraised to CMMI (Capability Maturity Model Integration) Maturity Level 3. CMMI is a process improvement approach that provides organizations with the essential elements of effective processes, which will improve their performance. CMMI models are collections of best practices that help organizations to improve their processes. These models are developed by product teams with members from industry, government, and the Software Engineering Institute (SEI).
Adhering to CMMI practices helps CWCDS dramatically improve its effectiveness, efficiency, and quality. CMMI practices cover and improve:
- configuration management
- quality assurance
- verification and validation
- risk management
- requirements development and management
- supplier management
- project management
- organizational process focus, definition and training
- formal decision making
- technical solution
- product integration
Receiving CMMI Level 3 appraisal is an important accomplishment in the aerospace and defense market that CWCDS serves. Prime contractors increasingly seek sub-contractors who are able to meet CMMI Level 3 requirements to provide assurance that solid and proven processes are in place for software and system development.
About CMMI® Level 3
At maturity level 3, processes are well characterized and understood, and are described in standards, procedures, tools, and methods. The organization’s set of standard processes, which is the basis for maturity level 3, is established and is continuously improved over time. These standard processes are used to establish consistency across the organization. Projects establish their defined processes by tailoring the organization’s set of standard processes according to tailoring guidelines.
CMMI® Maturity Level 3 organizations have demonstrated that they are more productive, have fewer delivered defects, have lower risk for development, and more consistently meet cost and schedule objectives. The CMMI® Level 3 rating is a distinction that clearly demonstrates to our customers that we are fully committed to high-level process improvements that assure the delivery of superior product, system and service solutions. This maturity level is increasingly becoming a competitive differentiator on many government programs and is consistent with Curtiss-Wright Controls’ culture of continuous improvement and commitment to excellence.
Originally commissioned by the DoD to help them qualify software vendors' capabilities, CMMI is used by organizations worldwide to help them achieve product and process improvements.
For more information about CMMI Maturity Levels please visit SEI, a federally funded research and development center sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and operated by Carnegie Mellon University.