2.5.4 How Maturity Modeling Saved My Softball Team

The general acceptance and success of the Software CMM has led to a proliferation of copycat models. There are reportedly about four dozen in some stage of creation. Systems engineering is now deeply involved in this movement. These models can have great benefit to a systems engineering program. However, there is also risk of overemphasis on the institutionalization of processes rather than the value or effectiveness of the effort. This paper looks at the traps one can fall into and how to avoid them.