The CMM Methodology
Most, if not all, CMM frameworks have the same basic methodology. This is how the CMU’s Software Engineering Institute’s CMM model works in the context of human resource management (P-CMM) (Curtis, Hefley, Miller, 2009).
Figure 1.
The five maturity levels of the P-CMM1
The model’s purpose is to “help organizations characterize the maturity of their workforce practices, establish a program of continuous workforce development, set priorities for improvement actions, integrate workforce development with process improvement, and establish a culture of excellence”(p.8).
The model “consists of five maturity levels, or evolutionary stages, through which an organization's workforce practices and processes evolve. At each maturity level, a new system of practices is added to those implemented at earlier levels. Each overlay of practices raises the level of sophistication through which the organization develops its workforce.”
“Each maturity level consists of three to seven process areas, identifying a cluster of related practices that, when performed collectively, achieve a set of goals considered important for enhancing workforce capability. Each process area organizes a set of interrelated practices in a critical area of workforce management, such as staffing, compensation, or workgroup development” (p.45). Process areas are linked to specific measurable goals to be achieved for each maturity level.
The model is grounded in standard process improvement practices common to most high performing, successful organizations. The model is best-practices based. These serve as a reference model against which an organization’s process improvements are benchmarked. “Workforce practices are standard organizational processes that can be improved continuously through the same methods that have been used to improve other business processes.” This is accomplished by means of a “standard appraisal method for process improvement” (SCAMPI) (p.9). The model is evidence-based.
The model incorporates common best practices, such as:
… competency modeling, 360º performance reviews, Web-enabled learning, knowledge management, team building, cool space, participatory decision making, incentive-based pay, mentoring, meeting management, and empowered work (p.26).