ISA achieved CMMI level 2 certification by launching a process improvement project funded through the QREN program. They formed a dedicated CMMI project team that worked with consultants from Strongstep to analyze gaps, define new processes through workshops, and pilot the processes on select projects. This included training, developing templates and tools to define baselines, and addressing challenges from different teams. Through dedicated stakeholder involvement, preparation, and managing expectations during rollout, ISA was able to successfully complete the SCAMPI appraisal and achieve CMMI level 2 certification.

3. How did we achieve CMMI?
ISA Case Study
Lara Osório - ISA, Intelligent Sensing
Anywhere

4. Agenda
ISA – Company Presentation
How did we achieve CMMI level 2?
Critical success factors
Difficulties
Solutions
Conclusions and Lessons learned

5. ISA
What we do?
International reference in real time remote
monitoring solutions specialized in the Energy,
Environment, Oil & Gas markets.
Solutions
Hardware
Software
Customer Service and
Support
Business Areas
Oil & Gas
Energy

6. ISA
General Competences
Telemetry and M2M Communication
Instrumentation, Automation and Control
Embedded Systems
Software Engineering
Customer Service and Support

7. ISA
Remote Monitoring System - Logistics

8. ISA
Remote Monitoring Systems
Develops energy monitoring and management solutions for companies,
households and utilities, supporting companies and entities in the reduction
of their energy consumptions.
ISA – Intelligent Sensing Anywhere’s
business unit, specialized in the energy
market with innovative solutions.
Utilities
Companie
s
Househol
ds
ISA’s
Management
Unit
Monitoring Management Support

9. ISA
Focus on quality
NP4457: specifies the
requirements for a R&D
and Innovation
Management System
ISO 9001:2008 Quality
management systems
— Requirements
CMMI Dev, Level 2: process
improvement training and
appraisal program and
service administered
EN 13980:2002: This European Standard
specifies particular requirements and
information for establishing and maintaining a
quality system within potentially explosive
atmospheres

10. How did we achieve CMMI
level 2?
 Identify an
opportunity to
launch a process
improvement
project (QREN);
 Approve a new
project in the
company to
implement CMMI;
 Build a project
team;
 Get the right
consultant partner;
 Start to work!
 Goal:
Get better, using CMMI
practices!

11. How did we achieve CMMI
level 2?
First Steps
Find financial resources
– ISA joined the QREN funding project ACTOR;
– ACTOR coordination by InovaRia
• Work well done!

12. How did we achieve CMMI
level 2?
First Steps
Identify project manager and team;
Get the right sponsoring for the project;
Teams awareness for change;
Identify weaknesses and reasons for the
improvement of processes;
Get to know CMMI.

13. How did we achieve CMMI
level 2?
During the journey
Dedicated CMMI project team continuously
reviewing and supporting the progress and work
done;
Great feedback and cooperation from project
managers and teams involved;

14. How did we achieve CMMI
level 2?
Consultancy with Stronstep
Well defined communication channels;
Availability for problem solving;
Good contribution to improve the ISA's
processes;
Ability to stimulate the ISA team to want to do
even more.

15. How did we achieve CMMI
level 2?
Methodology and schedule
 2012
MARCH
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
CMMI
Training
JULY
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
OUCTOBER
NOVEMBER DECEMBER
JANUARY
Training
for Rollout
Training
for pilots
projects
Gap Analysis
CMMI Level 2
Workshops
Planning
 2013
Rollout
Workshops to
Define processes
Pilots
SCAMPI C
Milestones
Planning and Project Tracking
Change Management
Readiness
Review
SCAMPI A
CMMI Level 2

16. How did we achieve CMMI
level 2?
Problems along the way
Project started late,
but the end date
couldn´t be changed
(QREN project).
One of ISA team
members went on
early maternity leave.
Strongstep project
manager was
changed before
SCAMPI C.
After SCAMPI C, we only had
2,5 months to improve the
process and make the rollout.
ISA project manager
went on medical leave
during SCAMPI C!
Days before SCAMPI A, one
project manager who had 2
chosen projects for the
SCAMPI went on medical
leave!

17. Critical success factors
Defined team for
CMMI implementation
Dedication of the
stakeholders involved
Workshops involving people
from different areas and with
different perspectives
Auditors and
consultants
Timely SCAMPI preparation
Process improvement
mindset

18. Difficulties
Different expectations
from hardware team
and software team
Project visibility
Resistance to change
Collect indicators
Team commitment
Execute baselines

19. Solutions
 Workshops
 Meetings with team
managers
 Sponsoring
 Teams were
encouraged to find
their own solutions
during the
workshops
 CMMI project team
member joined the
pilot project teams to
better understand
and address
problems

20. Solutions
 Create templates to
define baselines
 Use of source and
documentation
control tool
 Use JIRA tool
 Integrate templates
with JIRA DB
 Use scrum practices
 Promote checkpoint
meetings

21. Conclusions and lessons
learned
Shorter workshops - more focused;
Encourage active participation during
workshops;
Use follow-up meeting, instead of emails
chains to clarify doubts;
Involve CMMI team elements in the pilots
projects to better understand teams
difficulties.

22. Conclusions and lessons
learned
Create release notes for each process release;
Explain to the team members what is the
purpose of the changes we are making;
When something may go wrong, it will. So be
prepared with good backup plans.

23. Final conclusion
Define your goals;
Work to achieve them;
Reach them!
On the way don´t forget the people…
Define and involve
teams;
Manage expectations;
Promote the change!

24. End – Our commemoration

26. Strongstep - Innovation in software quality
Email: geral@strongstep.pt
Web: www.strongstep.pt
Telefone: + 351 22 030 15 85
Strongstep UPTEC
Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia da U. Porto
Rua Alfredo Allen, 455/461
4200-135 Porto, Portugal
Strongstep Chiado
Largo Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro nº 16
1200-369 Lisboa, Portugal