Background

In previous chapters we saw that there is considerable synergy among the selected frameworks. The question is: Can this synergy be used not only for process improvement but also in appraisals? The answer is yes, although there is no single formal approach to address that goal. Most organizations strive to capitalize on framework synergy, and when they successfully implement such an approach, are reluctant to share information about the techniques employed.

ISO registration ^[1] audits and the SCAMPI method use different approaches for achieving quite similar goals, namely, ensuring that the particular standard is followed and identifying discrepancies. Whereas ISO audits require discrepancies to be tracked, resolved, and closed, CMMI-based appraisals end with the identification of weaknesses leaving it as the organization's prerogative to decide how to address those weaknesses.

An effective approach to addressing different appraisal methods is to develop a body of objective evidence that simultaneously satisfies each of the selected frameworks. For that purpose, one has to analyze requirements of each appraisal method and then develop an approach for collecting evidence while implementing and executing the organization's and project's processes, as shown in Figure 7.1. In this figure we can see that the implemented process is based on the synergy among several frameworks, each of which have unique audit or appraisal procedures. Those procedures depend on the collection of objective evidence produced by the implemented process, which, in turn, reflects the framework requirements. As one would expect, the synergy among the frameworks is seen in...