This chapter intends to provide the reader with some of the more critical vocabulary that is used throughout CMMI . While an organization is certainly not required to strictly adopt CMMI terms in order to show compliance to its principles and guidance, some knowledge of the most important terms starts the journey of getting the look and feel of what it is like to implement CMMI concepts in an organization.

The SEI has chosen to use definitions from Webster's Dictionary when those definitions suffice. Some of the terms used in CMMI have meanings attached to them that differ from their everyday use. These are some of the phrases, word groupings, and terms that will be emphasized in this chapter. Many of the terms are taken from Chapter 3. Other terms are taken from the CMMI Glossary and Acronyms Section. Examples taken from industry experience of the authors are also added to provide a context to help the reader interpret the terms for their organization.

Model

A model is a structured collection of elements that describes characteristics of effective processes. A model is used to help set process improvement objectives and priorities and improve processes. A model is used to help ensure that the processes we put in place throughout our organizations will be stable, capable, and mature. A model is intended to be used as a guide for the improvement of project and organizational processes. A model provides:

• A place to start;

• The benefit of an industry's prior experiences;