CMMI guides
Practical, source-backed guides to CMMI appraisal — costs, timelines, choosing partners, and avoiding the classic failures.
How long does a CMMI appraisal take?
Fieldwork is 1–3 weeks. The program is 6–12 months. Here's where the calendar actually goes — and how to compress it honestly.
CMMI Maturity Level 3: what it actually takes
ML3 is the most-required rating in government contracting. What 'defined processes' means in practice, and the evidence appraisers expect.
What is a CMMI Lead Appraiser (and why only they can rate you)
The Lead Appraiser is the linchpin of the whole system: the only person authorized to award a Maturity Level rating. How they're certified and how to verify one.
Do you actually need a Class A appraisal?
Only the Benchmark produces a published rating — but not every goal needs one. When Class B or C is the right (and cheaper) answer.
CMMI for small businesses: is it worth it?
Appraisal scope scales to the organization — but the discipline doesn't discount. An honest cost-benefit for firms under 50 people.
How to choose a CMMI consulting partner: 9 questions
Before you sign anything: the nine questions that separate real appraisal partners from paper mills.
Why organizations fail their first CMMI appraisal
The five patterns behind failed Benchmarks — all of them preventable, all of them expensive.
CMMI V3.0: what's new and what it means for you
Business-value framing, new domains (Data, People, Safety, Security, Virtual), updated credentials — the practical impact of the current model.