Process Management: (Capability) Maturity Model (Definitions)

[capability maturity model:] "A model that contains the essential elements of effective processes for one or more disciplines and describes an evolutionary improvement path from ad hoc, immature processes to disciplined, mature processes with improved quality and effectiveness." (Sandy Shrum et al, "CMMI®: Guidelines for Process Integration and Product Improvement", 2003)

[capability maturity model (CMM):] "A formal document describing the requirements for a 'good' process, using some structure or taxonomy. Process maturity models define how you “ought to” produce a product, and typically require that the process be defined, documented, taught, practiced, measured, improved, and enforced." (Richard D Stutzke, "Estimating Software-Intensive Systems: Projects, Products, and Processes", 2005)

"A model to categorize the maturity of an organization by different levels. Most famous are the Capability Maturity Model (CMM) and its successor, the Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI). Following this approach, many organizations have developed SOA maturity models." (Nicolai M Josuttis, "SOA in Practice", 2007)

"A Capability Maturity Model (CMM) is an evolutionary roadmap for implementing the vital practices from one or more domains of organizational process. It contains the essential elements of effective processes for one or more disciplines. It describes an evolutionary improvement path from an ad hoc, immature process to a disciplined, mature process with improved quality and effectiveness." (Sally A Miller et al, "People CMM: A Framework for Human Capital Management 2nd Ed.", 2009)

"A structured collection of characteristics of effective processes at progressive levels of quality and effectiveness. A maturity model provides a common language and a shared vision for process improvement, a standard for benchmarking, and a framework for prioritizing actions. A maturity model assumes a natural evolutionary path for organizational process improvement." (DAMA International, "The DAMA Dictionary of Data Management", 2011)

"A framework that describes, for a specific area of interest, a number of levels of sophistication at which activities in this area can be carried out." (Jim Davis & Aiman Zeid, "Business Transformation: A Roadmap for Maximizing Organizational Insights", 2014)

"First introduced by the Carnegie Mellon Software Engineering Institute in 1991 to improve the process of software development. However, their broader applicability was recognized, and the model was expanded in 2000 to apply to enterprise-wide process improvement." (Sally-Anne Pitt, "Internal Audit Quality", 2014)

[Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI):] "A process improvement approach that provides organizations with the essential elements of effective processes, which will improve their performance." (Adam Gordon, "Official (ISC)2 Guide to the CISSP CBK" 4th Ed.", 2015)

[capability maturity model integration (CMMI):] "A process model that captures the organization’s maturity and fosters continuous improvement." (Shon Harris & Fernando Maymi, "CISSP All-in-One Exam Guide" 8th Ed., 2018)

"A set of structured levels that describe how well an organization can reliably and sustainably produce required outcomes." (Yassine Maleh et al, 'Strategic IT Governance and Performance Frameworks in Large Organizations", 2019)

[Capability Maturity Model (CMM):] "A five level staged framework that describes the key elements of an effective software process. The Capability Maturity Model covers best practices for planning, engineering and managing software development and maintenance ." (IQBBA)

[Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI):] "A framework that describes the key elements of an effective product development and maintenance process. The Capability Maturity Model Integration covers best-practices for planning, engineering and managing product development and maintenance. (CMMI)

"A structured collection of elements that describe certain aspects of maturity in an organization, and aid in the definition and understanding of an organization's processes. A maturity model often provides a common language, shared vision and framework for prioritizing improvement actions." (SQA)

"A Maturity Model is a framework that is used as a benchmark for comparison when looking at an organisation's processes." (Experian) [source]

"A means of identifying and/or measuring the maturity of something of interest, such as a Service, Capability, Function, Skill, or Competency." (IF4IT)