TABLE OF CONTENTS Defining, implementing, and institutionalizing processes are necessary if any organization expects them to be repeatable, effective, and long-lasting. Questions we may ask ourselves include: Just what does it take for a process to be repeatable, effective, and long-lasting? Why should organizations care? Another question may be: What is institutionalization anyway? Yet another related question may well be: Why does CMMI place such a great emphasis on this concept?
Before answers to these and other related questions will be provided, the reader ought to take out a blank piece of paper and list as many factors as possible on what an organization might put in place, do, or direct to ensure that its developers and managers are not using ineffective processes. It is probable that you listed training, because training is certainly an activity that helps us to be effective in utilizing the concepts that are offered. Naturally, all processes that an organization asks its people to follow should be documented, reviewed, and implemented. There should also be tailoring guidelines that each individual and project can use to obtain the maximum benefit from them. As lessons are learned, the documented processes ought to be updated to reflect the current understanding of business. You have probably also listed resources because it takes money, time, people, and tools and technology to make processes repeatable and long-lasting. Perhaps your list includes measures, and, just possibly, it includes policies that come from the senior management team to direct...
