CMMI V2.0 Appraisals - Some Important Changes Over CMMI V1.3

CMMI V2.0 appraisal method has also been released along with the CMMI V2.0 model.

Some interesting observations related to CMMI V2.0 model have been captured in an earlier post titled CMMI V2.0 - Some Interesting Observations (https://business-process-improvement-blog.blogspot.in/2018/04/cmmi-v20-some-interesting-observations.html)

The CMMI V2.0 appraisal method definition document (MDD) contains the details of appraisal method to be used while performing CMMI appraisals going ahead.

Here are some important points related to CMMI V2.0 appraisals:

• In CMMI V2.0 three types of appraisal methods have been made available - benchmark, sustainment and evaluation
• Benchmark appraisal
• Like SCAMPI A in V1.3 (actually replaces SCAMPI A) or re-certification audit in ISO standards
• Results in a maturity level rating valid for three years
• Sustainment appraisal
• Like SCAMPI A equivalent in V1.3 or surveillance audit in ISO standards
• Appraisal performed on one-third of the scope of the benchmark appraisal
• Results in extending the maturity level rating of a benchmark appraisal for another two years
• Evaluation appraisal
• Like SCAMPI B/C or equivalent in V1.3 (replaces SCAMPI B/C) or gap analysis in a general sense
• Does not result in any maturity level rating
• Intended for use by organizations against any scope both in terms of scope of organization and scope of CMMI V2.0 model
• Projects in appraisal scope will be selected based on  statistically-validated random sampling using random sample generator system (goes live in October 2018)
• This will help remove any bias from sample selection
• This change is a very significant one and will certainly make things tougher for many organizations
• However, if an organization has implemented the CMMI model in the right way, there is really no need to worry!
• Appraisals against CMMI V2.0 model using CMMI V2.0 appraisal method will start getting accepted from January 2019
• The random sample generator system is supposed to go live before that
• Appraisals against CMMI V1.3 model using CMMI V1.3 appraisal model will stop getting accepted after 1 April 2020
• After that only appraisals against CMMI V2.0 model using CMMI V2.0 appraisal method will be considered valid
• An organization can undergo maximum three consecutive sustainment appraisals before it is mandatorily required to undergo another benchmark (re)appraisal
• CMMI appraisals will follow a 9 year repetitive cycle similar to the 3 year repetitive cycle followed in the case of ISO certifications.
• ISO certification cycle starts with a (re)certification audit followed typically by two surveillance audits at the end of year 1 and year 2 respectively and then another (re)certification audit  at the end of year 3. The audit cycle repeats as per the above rhytm.
• CMMI appraisal cycle will start with a (re)benchmark appraisal followed by three sustainment appraisals at the end of year 3, year 5 and year 7 respectively and then another (re)benchmark appraisal at the end of year 9. The appraisal cycle repeats as per the above rhytm.
• Period of validity of a maturity level rating resulting from a CMMI V1.3 appraisal is not allowed to be extended using sustainment appraisal
• Hence upgrading to CMMI V2.0 appraisal method at the earliest is highly recommended from cost optimization point of view