The Capability Maturity Model: Guidelines for Improving the Software Process

Rating:
Summary: Not necessarily for the CMM beginner
Review: This book gives a very thorough description of the CMM, its key processes and levels. However, it does not give practical advice on implementation. I would not recommend this book to the beginner just starting to explore the CMM - it is better for someone with a basic understanding who wants an in depth description. The charts and graphs are completely unhelpful, in many cases I could not figure out exactly what the graph was supposed to illustrate. The use of the space shuttle project as a level 5 example is also not very applicable to the average business or software development house in determining their CMM level. A very good academic book and one that should be read if you are planning to implement CMM, but get a basic foundation using simpler books or training before tackling this one.

Rating:
Summary: Not necessarily for the CMM beginner
Review: This book gives a very thorough description of the CMM, its key processes and levels. However, it does not give practical advice on implementation. I would not recommend this book to the beginner just starting to explore the CMM - it is better for someone with a basic understanding who wants an in depth description. The charts and graphs are completely unhelpful, in many cases I could not figure out exactly what the graph was supposed to illustrate. The use of the space shuttle project as a level 5 example is also not very applicable to the average business or software development house in determining their CMM level. A very good academic book and one that should be read if you are planning to implement CMM, but get a basic foundation using simpler books or training before tackling this one.

Rating:
Summary: The Capability Maturity Model:
Review: This book is an excellent reference for anyone studying the SEI/CMM framework. It is excellent if you are a beginner or an old timer in the world of process improvement. This is by far the best book written by the Watts Humphrey group. I received this book at 4:00pm, cracked it open at 7:30pm and did not put it down till 11:00pm. The style, and approach makes this book enjoyable, YES enjoyable to read. Some critics have been too harsh on the CMM model and try to dismiss it. These same critics then try to explain that CMM is a waste of time,and praise RUP/UML. This is not so. SEI/CMM establishes the framework that gauge success in a software organization. Methodologies such as RUP/UML, and Structured Analysis and Design support the CMM and its Key Process Areas. There is no conflict, only support. Think of the CMM KPA(s) as the "what" and the methodologies as the "how". Kudos to the authors in their continuing efforts to teach the software community about process improvement.

Rating:
Summary: The Capability Maturity Model:
Review: This book is an excellent reference for anyone studying the SEI/CMM framework. It is excellent if you are a beginner or an old timer in the world of process improvement. This is by far the best book written by the Watts Humphrey group. I received this book at 4:00pm, cracked it open at 7:30pm and did not put it down till 11:00pm. The style, and approach makes this book enjoyable, YES enjoyable to read. Some critics have been too harsh on the CMM model and try to dismiss it. These same critics then try to explain that CMM is a waste of time,and praise RUP/UML. This is not so. SEI/CMM establishes the framework that gauge success in a software organization. Methodologies such as RUP/UML, and Structured Analysis and Design support the CMM and its Key Process Areas. There is no conflict, only support. Think of the CMM KPA(s) as the "what" and the methodologies as the "how". Kudos to the authors in their continuing efforts to teach the software community about process improvement.

Rating:
Summary: Great overall definition of CMM
Review: This book is an excellent reference for everyone. Whether you're in the beginning stages of defining a software process and it's improvement or already have a well-defined process in place. This book gives you the guiding steps to becoming SEI - CMM compliant regardless of your platform. If you want the recognition of having well-defined processes that improve your software quality which in turn brings better customer retention and even increased sales - you want the CMM process and this book!

Rating:
Summary: Great overall definition of CMM
Review: This book is an excellent reference for everyone. Whether you're in the beginning stages of defining a software process and it's improvement or already have a well-defined process in place. This book gives you the guiding steps to becoming SEI - CMM compliant regardless of your platform. If you want the recognition of having well-defined processes that improve your software quality which in turn brings better customer retention and even increased sales - you want the CMM process and this book!

Rating:
Summary: It's not a book, it's a guide reference.
Review: This is a complete description of the Capability Maturity Model for software from SEI/CMU. The big issue of the book, and the model itself, is that it describes widely what has to be done, but no clue of how to do it. This flexibility is very good to one who has been working with the model for so long, but very hard to news fellows to interpret by themselves.

Rating:
Summary: This IS the CMM!
Review: You've come to the right place, this IS the CMM. As a model it is complete. This book does not take into account the miriad of political obstacles, but for those software groups that are seriously ready for continuous software improvement, this is the source of what to do. There are other great books, such as the one by Kim Caputo, that give more specific ideas about implementation. Obtaining CMM compliance takes a lot of research and careful planning to get the job done, after all, it is all process and doesn't happen overnight or in a vacuum.