CMM levels(level 1 to 5)

CMM levels -----
Level 1- Initial --At Maturity Level 1 processes are usually ad hoc,and the organization usually does not provide a stable environment.Success in this organizations depends on the competence and heroics of the people in the organization,and not on the use of proven processes.In spite of this ad hoc,chaotic environment,maturity level 1 organizations often produce products and services that work.However they frequently exceed the budget and schedule of their projects.

Maturity level 1 organizations are characterized by a tendency to over commit,abandon processes in the time of crisis ,and not be able to repeat their past successes again.
Level 1 software project success depends on having high quality people.

Level 2-Repeatable--At Maturity level 2 Software development successes are repeatable.The processes may not repeat for all the projects in the organization.The organization may use some basic project management to track the schedule.
Process discipline helps ensure that existimg practices are retained during times of stress.When these practices are in place,projects are performed and managed according to thier documented plans.Project status and the delivery of services are visible to management at defined points(for eg:for major milestones and at the completion of major tasks)
Basic project management processes are established to track cost,schedule and functionality.The minimum process discipline is in place to repeat earlier successes on projects with similar applications and scope.There is still a significant risk of exceeding time and cost estimates.

Level 3-Defined--The organization's set of standard processes.which are the basis for Level 3,are established and improved over time.These standard processes are used to establish consistency across the organization.Projects establish their defined processes by applying the organization's set of standard processes,tailored if necessary ,within similarly standardized guidelines.
The organization's management establishes process objectives for the organization's set of standard processes,and ensure that these objects are appropriately addressed.
At level 3 the standards,process descriptions and procedures for a project is tailored from the organizatio's set of standard processes according to the organization's tailoring guidelines.
This contributes work products ,measures and other process improvement information to the organizational process assets.
The organization's set of standard processes are established and Improved over time.

Level 4-Quantitatively Managed--A quantitatively Managed process is a Defined process that is controlled using Statistical and other quantitative techniques.
Quantitative objectives for the product quality ,and process performance are established and used as criteria in managing the process.
People performing the process are directly involved in quantitatively managing the process and Statistical predictability is achieved.

Level 5-Optimizing--An optimizing process is a quantitatively managed process that is changed and adapted to meet relevant current and projected business objectives.
Focus is on continually improving the range of process performance through Incremental and innovative techniligical improvements.
Quantitative process improvement objectives are established and process improvement is inherently part of everybody's role,resulting in cycles of continual improvement.