IQC - The ISO Pros

The first level would most often not have a stable process or environment. The general success of a software process would rely on the skills and the capabilities of the people within the company or the organization. In addition to that, this level would introduce products and services that are operational but they do not meet the expectations of the client.

In comparison to the first level, the 2^nd level of maturity or the Managed type would have a more focused discipline and would have products, skills, and processes that work. Also, this level of maturity would allow the visibility of the delivery of the products and services managed.

At the third level, processes and operational systems would be more defined and disciplined; the processes would be more described and they would have more detail than the 2^nd level. All products, skills, and services would be measured for the next maturity level.

The fourth level of the CMMI would include the particular goals asked for and required by the first three maturity levels. Most usually, this maturity level would incorporate graphical, statistical, quantitative, and other strategies and techniques. All of which would be predictable and would follow the schedule set by the client.

Last but definitely not least would be the optimization maturity level. Under this level, all previous goals would have been achieved and the proficiency in the level, as well as its goals, would be directed towards innovative and developmental software process improvements.