Evaluating Appraisal Results

Questions to ask organizations that claim CMMI certification:

  1. Was it led by an authorized appraiser?

  2. Were alternative practices proposed; if so, what were they?

  3. Were the results reported to the SEI, and do they appear on the SEI's Process Assessment Results
    web page?

  4. Was the consultant who supported the organization's improvement project on the appraisal team?

  5. Was the team experienced in appraisals and with the reference model?

  6. Were the interpreters employed by the organization being appraised?

  7. Did the interpreters have process consulting experience? 

  8. Was the appraiser's payment contingent on delivery of the certificate matching the target profile?

  9. Were projects selected by the appraiser from the entire set of projects in the organization?

  10. Were EPG, QA, or upper managers on the team?

"Yes" to odd numbered questions is good, "yes" to even numbered questions can be bad- these can indicate 
conflicts of interest or sources of misinformation about the appraisal and results..

 
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