Implications of Using the Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI ©) for COTS-Based Systems

Abstract

Using commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) products to meet the needs of business or operational applications is an increasing trend. Practical experience is showing that building systems using COTS products requires new skills and different processes. Practitioners are finding that building and supporting COTS-based systems demands more, not less, management and engineering discipline. Many organizations have derived substantial benefits through process improvement using Capability Maturity Models (CMM ©s) and want to leverage previous investments in process improvement to build COTS-based systems. In addition, organizations building COTS-based systems want to begin applying the CMMI ©. This leads to the question, “How should the CMMI be interpreted for organizations building, fielding, and supporting a COTSbased system?” This paper provides high-level guidance on interpreting and using CMMI practices in a way that facilitates the definition and development of appropriate processes for COTS-based systems.

A COTS-based system can be one substantial COTS product tailored to provide needed functionality or multiple components from a variety of sources, including custom development, integrated to collectively provide functionality.

Capability Maturity Model, CMM and CMMI are registered in the U.S. Patent & Trademark office by Carnegie Mellon University.