35 The Continuous Appraisal Process© (CAP©) is a Q-Labs approach that will assist an organization in reaching higher CMMI® Maturity or Capability levels This is a Q-Labs proprietary method, similar to the Q-Labs SW-CMM OnBoard© method The CAP monitors and drives software Process Improvement (PI) progress by-- 183 Assigning process ownership to the correct place (Project Management, Engineers, Senior Management, etc) 183 Providing a clear picture of exactly where a project stands against the CMMI 183 Enabling managers to focus on deficiencies that need improvement to meet PI goals 183 Demonstrating progress and benefits to Senior Management The CAP uses wall charts or electronic charts containing all the practices of the Process Areas (PA) Associated with the wall charts are databases with appraisal related information such as lists of artifacts which indicate the practices are being followed, and where the artifacts are located Additionally, either physical or electronic evidence boxes (or a combination of both) are maintained by the project to ensure that the project is ready at all times for an appraisal The process is used as an integral part of the overall training, implementation, institutionalization, formal appraisal planning and lessons learned Status is reviewed to determine progress being made and serves as a visible benchmark of PI status The initial CAP is also a gap analysis accomplished after the initial team meeting and documentation review As the evidences are created for each of the PAs, and logged according to the CAP, status of activities are updated and reviewed by team members, leads and management The CAP is based upon a simple concept that for process improvement to succeed the following must exist-- 183 Documented process 183 Understanding of the documented process by both practitioners and management 183 Evidence that the documented process is being followed (which flows into Practice Implementation Indicators (PII) for a SCAMPI® appraisal preparation) The CAP serves to focus the process improvement effort and helps to ensure the contributions from the involved parties-- 183 Visible active support by Senior Management 183 Planning, tracking, and understanding by project management 183 Action and understanding by practitioners In addition, the CAP is used to track status of the implementation and evidence that the process is being followed The CAP also-- 183 Provides a visual measure of progress for both Senior Management and project team 183 Requires hard evidence before improvement is marked as completed (effectively preparing an organization for a SCAMPI-based appraisal) 183 Identifies regression 183 Is fair because there are clear rules for achieving success 183 Helps to promote positive culture change through healthy competition, visible indicators of success, and process understanding
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