Can Capability Maturity Model Integration Coexist with Agile?
A recent blog post about Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) and agile caught my attention. Using this post as a springboard, I want to figure out how the two methodologies can coexist. Remember that the Agile Manifesto specifically addresses processes, and the CMMi is, without a doubt, centered on process and documentation.
The Agile Manifesto’s view on processes and documentation is as follows: You should focus on individuals and interactions over processes and tools as well as working software over comprehensive documentation. So, my question for you is: Can the two coexist, and is anyone even attempting this?
To start off, I found a couple of articles on the compatibility of agile and CMMi. Both pieces argue that the methodologies are compatible. I noticed two things as I began this journey. Most people say the two can coexist, and most of the material is dated. So I was faced with a dilemma. Is this an open-and-shut case? Is there any information out there to prove what I found most people saying—that the two can coexist and should?
I then found a blog that raises the issue about the compatibility of agile and CMMi, and the author asks for articles to discuss why this topic is not dead yet. Unfortunately, you have to be a member to get access to this article; the blogger’s website did have other links to this topic. However, at this point I wasn’t deterred. If one person believes this topic is worth discussing, then surely others do.
My next search turned up an article on this very topic from February 2012. This article explores taking agile organizations to higher levels of CMMi and how to do so. My search now moved to November 2012, and apparently James McHale of SEI had a keynote presentation on this very topic. While I don’t have access to his presentation, it certainly proves this topic is alive and well.
Eventually, I hit a gold mine of information. I found this in-depth look at agile and CMMi on ScrumAlliance.org, and I found a video of agile and CMMi compatibility that is less than four-months old.
My journey has not been without its frustrations. It looked like I had chosen a non-story—that maybe this topic had been hashed out. Like most topics in IT they might very well be answered years later only to eventually surface again.
What has been your experience with CMMi and agile? Are they compatible?
