CMMI® for Outsourcing: Guidelines for Software, Systems, and IT Acquisition

"By following the guidance contained in [the CMMI-ACQ and this book], you'll be able to build an organic acquisition capability that will position your organization to successfully set the scope of engagements with suppliers, keep suppliers and in-house users focused on a common picture of success, and deliver capabilities that will position your organization as a leader in your market or mission for years to come."
--From the Foreword by Brian Gallagher
Director, Acquisition Program, Software Engineering Institute

Increasingly, both commercial and government organizations are acquiring key software, systems, and IT functions instead of building them. Yet all too often, the technology solutions they purchase cannot be sustained successfully. Now there is a comprehensive solution: the CMMI for Acquisition (CMMI-ACQ) model, which connects the widely adopted CMMI 1.2 framework with established industry best practices for acquisition and outsourcing.

This book is a practical introduction to the initial CMMI-ACQ and its use in all phases of technology acquisition. Developed under the leadership of the Software Engineering Institute (SEI) and General Motors (GM), the CMMI-ACQ combines CMMI's successful process discipline with techniques proven to work in GM's own extensive outsourcing program. Reflecting the unique insights of key players in the development and early implementation of the CMMI-ACQ, the book covers the entire acquisition project lifecycle, presenting real-world stories as they might occur in your own organizations, insider experiences, tips, tricks, and pitfalls to avoid.

The topics discussed here include: determining when outsourcing is and is not appropriate; developing acquisition strategies and aligning organizational structure with them; capturing accurate requirements; specifying realistic design constraints; writing effective RFPs; selecting, managing, and collaborating with suppliers; negotiating contracts; managing risk; and "measuring for success."

CMMI for Outsourcing^® will be valuable to any organization that wants to achieve better results from technology acquisition. It will be especially helpful to organizations already involved with CMMI-related process improvement and to companies that partner with them.

Foreword   
Preface   
Chapter 1: Introduction to the CMMI-ACQ   
Chapter 2: Getting Started   
Chapter 3: Engineering Solutions   
Chapter 4: Delivering Solutions   
Chapter 5: Accelerating Acquisition Improvement   
Appendix: Overview of CMMI-ACQ   
Bibliography   
About the Authors   
Index  

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CMMI for OutSourcing: Delivering Solutions

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Table of Contents

Foreword    xiii
Preface    xv

Chapter 1: Introduction to the CMMI-ACQ    1

1.1  What Is CMMI-ACQ?    2
1.2  The Structure of This Book    3
1.3  Our Team: Recruiting the Project Manager    4
1.4  Introducing the Supplier's Representatives    13
1.5  The First Meeting with the Supplier's Reps    14
1.6  Recruiting the Internal Customer    19
1.7  Meeting with the Executive Board    20
1.8 The Way Forward    26

Chapter 2: Getting Started    27

2.1  Charting the Strategy    29
2.2  A Strategy Meeting with Senior Executives    32
2.3  From Strategy to Plan    45
2.4  Partnering with Suppliers    65
2.5  Summary    113

Chapter 3: Engineering Solutions    119

3.1  Focus on Value    120
3.2  Specify Realistic Design Constraints    143
3.3  Practice Agility    164
3.4  Summary    182

Chapter 4: Delivering Solutions    187

4.1  Treat Each Project as a Whole Endeavor    188
4.2  Manage Project Risks    208
4.3  Measure for Success    220
4.4  Let's Go Live (and Live to Tell About It)    244
4.5  Summary    262

Chapter 5: Accelerating Acquisition Improvement    267

5.1  The Need for Process Stability    270
5.2  Establish Standardized Work Processes    290
5.3  Smooth Sailing    301
5.4  Leading the Charge for Change    309
5.5  Summary    330

Appendix: Overview of CMMI-ACQ    335

Bibliography    419
About the Authors    423
Index    425