[CLUE-Talk] CMM and Process Improvements

[Kevin Cullis]

David Anselmi wrote:
> 
> Kevin Cullis wrote:
> 
> > Hi all,
> >
> > This week end I was with some great people and a discussion around CMM
> > and process improvement came about. Thought this might be of interest to
> > those that are now getting it.
> 
> I mentioned that I heard Kent Beck.  If you read anything about Extreme
> Programming, I'd be interested to hear your take.  I don't know much about
> either XP or CMM.

For me, it's not a matter of whether it's CMM or XP, the current state
of coding stinks regarding repeatability. and CMM or XP are a far cry
away from chaos coding, or "cowboy coding" as a friend states.

> 
> But, one of the questions to Kent was "what do you think of CMM".  He pretty
> much said that XP and CMM people can't talk because their mindsets and
> language are so far apart.  He also said that CMM has its roots in
> manufacturing and that software development is *not* manufacturing.  So in
> his opinion CMM doesn't work and isn't appropriate for any project.

Much like the West Coast Offense and East Coast Offense in football,
they each have their places.  Same with XP and CMM.  For me, it depends
on the project and the people involved.

I don't think that CMM has it's roots in manufacturing, but it comes
real close.  But you have to take a look at how manufacturing has
changed in the last 30s years, much like software development, to a
degree.

> 
> Obviously CMM does something for the level 5 companies, so perhaps it isn't
> as bad as Kent makes it out.  There are certainly elements of religious
> fervor on both sides.

Absolutely!  I don't subscribe to either one as a total solution, but
I'd use either one depending on the circumstances.

HTH

Kevin