Improvement Initiatives using OPF and OID

Business Process Improvement Initiatives can be run as instances of OPF and OID Implementations for higher effectiveness and ensuring a high likelihood of success. For those who are wondering what OPF and OID are, read the following: CMMI-DEV v1.2 Process Areas

At a quick glance, OPF and OID are CMMI Process Areas (PAs) which are focused specifically on Process Improvement. OPF is a CMMI Maturity Level 3 PA which stands for Organizational Process Focus and OID is a CMMI Maturity Level 5 PA (High Maturity PA) which stands for Organizational Innovation and Deployment.

For understanding the implication of the above, it is better to take an example. Suppose an organization is considering adoption and deployment of one of the Business Excellence Models, let's say CMMI. The above statements imply that a CMMI Deployment Program is actually an instance of OPF and OID Implementation.

First look at OPF to understand this:

OPF is about planning, implementing and deploying process improvements in the organization subsequent to acquiring an understanding into the gaps in process maturity.

And here are the goals of OPF translated in terms of what needs to be done for the CMMI Program:

1. Specify Process Needs of the Organization and Establish Gaps in Process Maturity vis-a-vis the Specified Process Needs.
- Scope the CMMI Deployment (Maturity Level - 3 or 5, Projects or Areas to be included in deployment scope)
- Conduct CMMI Gap Analysis (Gaps can be be both weaknesses and opportunities for further improvement in the current process maturity)

2. Plan and Close Gaps
- Establish Process Actions Plans and Process Action Teams (PATs)
- Complete the Actions for Gap Closure

3. Deploy and Fine-tune based on Deployment Feedback
- Conduct Training on New/Modified Processes
- Apply New/Modified Processes in Various Projects and Relevant Areas of the Organization
- Establish Mechanism to Capture and Resolve Deployment Challenges and Issues

Next look at OID to understand this:

OID is about selecting and deploying quantitatively measurable process (and technology) improvements (both incremental and innovative). These improvements must be linked to business outcomes and objectives.

And here are the goals of OID translated in terms of what needs to be done for the CMMI Program:

1. Select Improvements
- Initiate CMMI Deployment (can be started with piloting in selected parts of the organization before extending it to the entire organization)

2. Deploy Improvements
- Prepare CMMI Deployment Road-map
- Execute CMMI Deployment as per the Road-map
- Establish and Measure CMMI Program Success Criteria (Attain CMMI Maturity Level 3 or Level 5!)

Both OPF and OID make use of OPD (Organizational Process Definition) to bring about changes to the defined set of standard processes. Process improvement initiatives will require creation of new processes or modification of existing processes. In both these situations, OPD plays a major role. OPD is about establishing standard processes, other process assets and work environment standards