Introduction

A key process area (KPA) contains the goals that must be reached in order to improve a software process. A KPA is said to be satisfied when procedures are in place to reach the corresponding goals. A software organization has achieved a specific maturity level once all the corresponding KPAs are satisfied.

 

                                 Key Process Areas

-Identify a cluster of related activities that, when performed collectively, achieve a set of goals considered important for enhancing process capability.

-Defined to reside at a single maturity level.

-Identify the issues that must be addressed to achieve a maturity  level.

 

Following list describes the KPAs of CMM:

Maturity Level Two Repeatable
Focus Basic Project Management controls

 

KPA

Purpose
Requirements Management To establish a common understanding between a customer and project team on the customer’s requirement.
Software Project Planning To establish plans for engineering and managing a project.
Software Project Tracking To establish adequate visibility of and Oversight actual progress.
Software Subcontract Management To select qualified subcontractors and manage them effectively.
Software Quality Assurance To provide appropriate visibility of the process used and the products build.
Software Configuration Management To establish and maintain the integrity of a product throughout its life cycle.

 

 

Maturity Level Three Defined
Focus Project and organizational issues.

 

KPA

Purpose
Organization Process Focus To establish an organizational responsibility.
Organization Process Definition To develop and maintain a usable set of organizational process assets.
Training Program To train individuals so they can be effective and efficient.
Integrated Software Management To integrate software engineering and management activities effectively.
Software Product Engineering To ensure a well-defined process that integrates all technical activities
Intergroup Coordination To establish smooth communication between software engineering groups.
Peer Reviews To remove defects early and efficient.

 

 
Maturity Level Four Managed
Focus Process and product quality.

 

KPA

Purpose
Quantitative Process Management To control a project’s process

performance quantitatively.
Software Quality Management To develop a quantitative understanding of product quality.

 

 

Maturity Level Five Optimizing
Focus Continuous and measurable process improvement.

 

KPA

Purpose
Defect Prevention To identify the causes of defects and prevent them from recurring.
Technology Change Management To identify beneficial new technology and transfer them in an orderly manner
Process Change Management To continually improve the process to improve quality, increase productivity, and decrease development time.