CMM Integration Model is a process oriented model as the process is a leverage point for an organization’s sustained improvement. The purpose of CMM Integration is to provide guidance for improving the organization processes and its ability to manage the development, acquisition, and maintenance of products or services. CMM Integration places proven approaches into a structure that helps the organization to appraise its organizational maturity or process area capability, establish priorities for improvement, and implement these improvements.

The CMMI Product Suite contains and is produced from a framework that provides the ability to generate multiple models and associated training and appraisal materials. These models may reflect content from bodies of knowledge (e.g., systems engineering, software engineering, Integrated Product and Process Development) in combinations most useful to the organization (e.g., CMMI-SE/SW, CMMI-SE/SW/IPPD). The organization can use a CMMI model to help set process improvement objectives and priorities, improve processes, and provide guidance for ensuring stable, capable, and mature processes. A selected CMMI model can serve as a guide for improvement of organizational processes.

Professional judgment must be used to interpret CMMI specific and generic practices. Although process areas depict behavior that should be exhibited in any organization, all practices must be interpreted using an in-depth knowledge of the CMMI model being used, the organization, the business environment, and the circumstances involved.