SSCI Industry Expert Presented at an IT Service Management Conference

Drew Allison, participated on a panel entitled Battle of the Standards and Frameworks at the itSMF USA National Capital LIG Meeting on June 19, 2008 in Washington, DC.  Ms. Allison’s panel brought together top industry experts for a knock-down, no holds barred discussion of leading frameworks, including ITIL, CMMI, COBIT, Enterprise Architecture, Six Sigma, ISO 20000, and Procurement Guidelines & Mandates.  The panel discussed the various frameworks and standards and how they inter-relate to ITIL and to each other.

If you have any questions, please email us at ask-ssci@systemsandsoftware.org.

SSCI Membership Offers Real Value

SSCI recently conducted analysis on our Workforce Development and Training Solutions program.  This analysis evaluated the cost-per-seat value for SSCI offerings and compared that data against commercially available training.  Findings from the research indicate SSCI’s average training cost-per-student was significantly lower than our competitors. 

SSCI’s training program includes over 50 courses specializing in a broad range of topics such as systems and software engineering, process improvement, automated validation and verification, measurement and other activities critical to the systems development lifecycle.  Download our 2008 Course Catalog to learn more.

If you need more information, please contact us at ask-ssci@systemsandsoftware.org with questions.

SSCI Hires New Measurement Expert; Two SSCI Thought-leaders Achieve Professional Milestones

SSCI welcomes Michael Evanoo who recently joined the Consortium as a Principal Member of the Technical Staff.  Mr. Evanoo has more than 20 years of experience in quality management, measurement, process management and project management.  He is a Certified Quality Engineer, an SEI-certified High Maturity SCAMPI Lead Appraiser for CMMI, a Six Sigma Black Belt, a certified Scrum Master and a an experienced business and program Leader. 

At SSCI, Mr. Evanoo will specialize in Systems and Software Metrology, CMMI High Maturity, Disciplined Agility and Six Sigma techniques. 

Mary Segnit and Joe Seppy recently earned important certifications from the Software Engineering Institute (SEI).  Mary Segnit is a newly appointed SCAMPI A Lead Appraiser.  Joe Seppy recently became a certified SEI Introduction to CMMI instructor.  These latest achievements strengthen SSCI's existing CMMI capabilities.

Please join us in congratulating Ms. Segnit and Mr. Seppy on their important achievements and welcoming Mr. Evanoo to SSCI.  If you are interested in learning more about the people mentioned above or anyone else on our technical team, please contact us at ask-ssci@systemsandsoftware.org.

About SSCI

The Systems and Software Consortium, Inc. (SSCI) is a nonprofit partnership of market leaders, government agencies, and academic affiliates.  As a consortium, SSCI enables industry and government to co-invest in the development of systems and software processes and capabilities that improve business performance.  Members also have access to a team of technical experts whose collective knowledge of best practices and lessons learned gives SSCI the unique opportunity to offer practical advice and proven solutions.

SENTEL Corporation Achieves CMMI Version 1.2 Maturity Level 2 Rating

The Systems and Software Consortium, Inc. (SSCI) congratulates SENTEL, a wholly owned subsidiary of WC Holding, Inc., on successfully achieving a Level 2 maturity rating using the Capability Maturity Model Integration for Development (CMMI-DEV), version 1.2. 

In preparing for their appraisal, SENTEL was able to build on their previous accomplishments with SW-CMM.  They worked closely with SSCI to understand the differences between the two models and gain feedback on their interpretation of CMMI practices.  Both support and leadership from senior management were clearly evident throughout the appraisal process and an important contribution to their success.

SSCI conducted the appraisal over a seven day period at SENTEL’s Dahlgren, Virginia facility.  The appraisal team consisted of seven members, including two from SSCI and five from SENTEL.  Mary Segnit, a member of the SSCI CMMI team, led the appraisal.

“I am so pleased SENTEL achieved their CMMI Maturity Level 2 goal.  It was a true privilege to work with them during this appraisal,” says Segnit.  “Their Engineering Process Group (EPG), under the guidance of Lynn Simms, did such a thorough job preparing for the appraisal, and the appraisal team worked so well together that we were able wrap up the onsite period earlier than planned.  The organization as a whole worked very hard to bring SENTEL to this important milestone, and they now have a solid foundation on which to continue their process improvement journey.”

CMMI was developed by a coalition of industry, government, and the SEI as a means to objectively appraise an organization’s software and systems development capability.  Achieving a CMMI Level 2 maturity rating indicates that projects within the appraised organization follow documented processes to perform basic project management tasks such as planning, tracking cost, schedule and functionality, controlling the integrity of requirements and other work products, and using specified measures to track progress.  In CMMI Level 2 organizations, problems meeting commitments are identified when they arise and adjustments to plans are made in a controlled manner.

Companies who obtain this rating are better prepared to meet their customer’s commitments and expectations as planned and deliver high quality products in a repeatable manner.

About SENTEL

SENTEL is a leading engineering service provider that develops, tests, and supports innovative technology to improve defense, enable communications and protect lives.  Headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, SENTEL employs over 270 people and has offices across the country.  As one of the most innovative technology companies in the United States, SENTEL’s revenue reached 45 million in 2007.

To learn more about SENTEL, please visit their website.

About SSCI

The Systems and Software Consortium, Inc. (SSCI) is a nonprofit partnership of market leaders, government agencies, and academic affiliates.  As a consortium, SSCI enables industry and government to co-invest in the development of systems and software processes and capabilities that improve business performance.  Members also have access to a team of technical experts whose collective knowledge of best practices and lessons learned gives SSCI the unique opportunity to offer practical advice and proven solutions.

SSCI has played a critical part on the CMMI Team for the development of CMMI.  Our experts apply their robust experience base from completing hundreds of CMM/CMMI appraisals to effectively guide members through the entire appraisal process. 

For more information regarding how membership with the Consortium can benefit your organization, please contact Cheryl Parker at parker@systemsandsoftware.org.

Telephonics Corporation Achieves CMMI Version 1.2 Maturity Level 3 Rating

The Systems and Software Consortium, Inc. (SSCI) congratulates Telephonics Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Griffon Corporation (NYSE:GFF), on successfully achieving a Level 3 maturity rating using the Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) Development, version 1.2.  The Level 3 maturity rating was awarded to Telephonics Corporation’s Radar Systems Division (RSD) headquartered in Farmingdale, New York.  RSD’s overall preparedness and knowledgeable, open and forthcoming interviews of the appraisal participants’ were major contributors to the organization’s rating and clearly showed that it performs at CMMI Defined (ML 3) maturity level.

SSCI conducted the appraisal over a two week period with a team of nine members, including two from SSCI and seven from Telephonics.  Boris Mutafelija, SSCI’s Software Engineering Institute Authorized SCAMPI Lead Appraiser, led the appraisal team. 

“I personally congratulate RSD’s management and staff in achieving this milestone.  It is a great satisfaction for a Lead Appraiser to witness such progress over a two year period working with this organization as they systematically and continually increased their process maturity,” says Mutafelija.  “The objective evidence and interviews clearly indicated commitment to process improvement at all levels; from the senior management sponsorship to the engagement of project staff.  The Process Group did a splendid job in spearheading the process improvement and realizing all the process improvement objectives set by the RSD management.  I am convinced that this organization will continue their journey and achieve higher maturity levels in the near future.”

CMMI was developed by a coalition of industry, government, and the Software Engineering Institute to objectively appraise an organization’s software and systems development capability.  Level 3 indicates that an organization’s processes are institutionalized, consistent across the organization, and measurable.  Companies who attain a Level 3 maturity rating continually meet or exceed customer expectations by delivering high quality products within budget and on time.

About Telephonics Corporation

Telephonics Corporation is a global leader in Integrated Information and Communication Systems technology, serving Aerospace, Defense, and Commercial markets.  They deploy innovative electrical systems worldwide which provide reliable situational awareness to our war-fighters performing critical military missions.  Radar Systems Division is an industry leader specializing in maritime surveillance radar and identification friend or foe interrogators.

Telephonics Corporation employs over 1,200 people and has operations in the United States and in Europe.  For more information on Telephonics’ Level 3 CMMI maturity rating, see the media alert posted to their website.

About SSCI

The Systems and Software Consortium, Inc. (SSCI) is a nonprofit partnership of market leaders, government agencies, and academic affiliates.  As a consortium, SSCI enables industry and government to co-invest in the development of systems and software processes and capabilities that improve business performance.  Members also have access to a team of technical experts whose collective knowledge of best practices and lessons learned gives SSCI the unique opportunity to offer practical advice and proven solutions.

SSCI has played a critical part on the CMMI Team for the development of CMMI.  Our experts apply their robust experience base from completing hundreds of CMM/CMMI appraisals to effectively guide members through the entire appraisal process. 

For more information regarding how membership with the Consortium can benefit your organization, please contact Cheryl Parker at parker@systemsandsoftware.org.

Two SSCI Technical Leaders Receive Important Scrum Alliance Certifications

The Systems and Software Consortium, Inc. (SSCI) congratulates Roger Brown and Bob Small on their recent Scrum Alliance certifications.  Scrum is an agile project management framework that serves as one of the conceptual foundations of SSCI’s Disciplined Agility approach to software development. Their achievements attest to SSCI’s capability to offer members expert guidance in agile development.

Roger Brown is one of the first recipients of the newly established Certified Scrum Coach (CSC) designation.  CSC’s are recognized as having extensive knowledge and experience helping project teams understand and successfully apply the concepts of agile software development to their specific environment.  Roger Brown was also a member of the working group that developed the CSC program for the Scrum Alliance. Roger has been a member of the Scrum Alliance for many years and also holds the following credentials: Certified Scrum Master, Certified Scrum Practitioner, and Certified Product Owner.

Earlier this month, Bob Small was awarded his certification as a Scrum Practitioner (CSP).  This designation is only offered to Certified Scrum Masters who have shown proven experience applying Scrum on software development projects.  This achievement recognizes Bob’s expertise in the agile domain which is invaluable in his role as a member of SSCI’s Disciplined Agility coaching team.  

About Scrum and Disciplined Agility

Scrum is a framework that organizes development projects into small, cross-functional teams to promote increased productivity and improved product quality.  Scrum has been successfully applied to many small and large projects in software development as well as non-software projects.  Disciplined Agility is the Consortium’s interpretation of agile development which incorporates the Scrum framework and other agile practices. Agile development creates a more satisfying and productive work environment that empowers teams to be responsive to customers’ changing requirements. Disciplined Agility offers the advantages of agile development to members within high-governance environments; in particular, Disciplined Agility is consistent with the CMMI framework.

If you are interested in learning more about Scrum and Disciplined Agility or have any other questions, please contact us at ask-ssci@systemsandsoftware.org.

SSCI’s President and CEO is Published in WashingtonTechnology

Jim Kane, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Systems and Software Consortium, Inc. (SSCI), was recently published in the February 11, 2008 edition of WashingtonTechnology.  In his article, Government customers want speed; quality , Dr. Kane explains that there are currently two key market trends - speed and accountability – that have direct implications on companies’ internal operations.  In order to set your organization apart from the competition and to succeed, it is critical to not only understand the implications of these market trends across an entire organization but to also use those external forces to drive necessary internal operational changes.  In his article, Dr. Kane also explains how government contractors “must adapt current processes to enable speed and agility, while maintaining discipline and governance for quality assurance.”