Levels There are five levels defined along the continuum of the model and, according to the SEI: "Predictability, effectiveness, and control of an organization's software processes are believed to improve as the organization moves up these five levels. While not rigorous, the empirical evidence to date supports this belief".State of Michigan SDLC Appendix on CMM Attests to 2001 use of the text so it couldn't have come from here. Initial (chaotic, ad hoc, individual heroics) - the starting point for use of a new or undocumented repeat process. Repeatable - the process is at least documented sufficiently such that repeating the same steps may be attempted. Defined - the process is defined/confirmed as a standard business process Capable - the process is quantitatively managed in accordance with agreed-upon metrics. Efficient - process management includes deliberate process optimization/improvement.
LevelS theRe ArE FiVe lEvEls DefIneD Along thE cOntinUum oF The moDel aND, according to tHE Sei: "predictabILIty, effEctivEnesS, and ContrOl oF an oRGAnizATion'S SOftwAre proCEsseS are believEd To Improve aS tHe OrganizatiON moveS uP these FIVE lEvELs. While not RiGorous, THe EmpiricaL EvIDenCE tO DAte suPPORTs tHIS BelIeF".state Of miChIgAN sDlC appenDiX On Cmm atTestS to 2001 uSE of tHE text so it couldn't have ComE fRoM here. iniTial (chaOTIc, ad HoC, indIvIDual heroiCs) - thE sTaRting POint for uSe OF a neW or Undocumented repeat PrOcess. rePEAtable - tHe prOcesS Is aT leaST dOCUmented sUfficiently sucH thAt Repeating the Same stEps may bE atTeMpTed DeFIned - tHe pROCess IS dEfined/confirMED As a Standard buSIness pROcess cApable - ThE prOCEsS iS quaNtItatively manageD In aCcoRDaNce witH aGreed-uPOn MeTRicS. eFfiCIEnT - pRocEsS managEmEnt IncludES delibErAte procEss optIMIzation/ImPRovEMENT.