Project Process Documentation Required for CMMI-DEV Level 3 Assessment

List the various process documents that a CMMI assessor would expect to see for process area Technical Solution.

A CMMI assessor evaluating the Technical Solution process area would typically expect to see the following key process documents or work products to demonstrate that requirements are being effectively transformed into designed and implemented product solutions:

1. Alternative Solution Analysis and Selection Criteria: This includes a list of alternative solutions evaluated, the criteria for selection, and the analysis methods used to support selection decisions. Work products might include:

○ Evaluation reports of alternative solutions and new technologies

○ Criteria used for selecting final solutions

○ Records of analyses or trade studies conducted for alternative solutions​​.

2. Product Component Requirements and Design Allocations: Documentation specifying how requirements are allocated to product components, as well as any derived requirements or constraints associated with those components. Key documents might include:

○ Requirements allocation sheets

○ Relationships among allocated and derived requirements

○ Documentation of interfaces between product components​​.

3. Technical Data Package (TDP): A comprehensive set of information needed to implement the design, which may include:

○ Design specifications and detailed component descriptions

○ Interface control documents

○ Technical notes or rationale explaining design decisions​​.

4. Make, Buy, or Reuse Analyses: This analysis supports decisions on whether to develop components in-house, purchase commercially available components (COTS), or reuse existing designs. Work products could include:

○ Make-or-buy decision criteria

○ Guidelines for choosing reusable components or COTS products​.

5. Product Implementation Documentation: Details on the implementation approach, including coding and hardware specifications. This can involve:

○ Coding or fabrication standards followed

○ Records of testing for each component

○ Peer review records​.

6. Product Support Documentation: Ensures that users and operators have the necessary information to install, operate, and maintain the product, including:

○ User manuals and training materials

○ Maintenance documentation

○ Online help resources​.

These documents ensure that the Technical Solution process area aligns with CMMI Level 3 requirements, supporting quality design and implementation practices.

I meant process, procedure, work instruction, template, checklist, etc

A CMMI assessor reviewing the Technical Solution (TS) process area would expect the following types of process, procedure, work instruction, templates, and checklists to be available. These documents support critical activities such as evaluating and selecting solutions, developing detailed designs, and implementing designs effectively:

1. Processes and Procedures

• Alternative Solution Evaluation and Selection: Procedures for developing, evaluating, and selecting alternative solutions to meet technical requirements, considering aspects like cost, risk, and feasibility​.

• Design Process: A defined process for developing detailed product or component designs, including establishing requirements and constraints. This should include the methodology and criteria for design selection and iteration​.

• Implementation Process: A structured process for the transformation of design into code, fabrication, or other implementation forms, including verification steps and adherence to coding or fabrication standards​​.

2. Work Instructions

• Interface Control Documentation: Work instructions for managing interfaces, which could involve guidelines for maintaining consistency, resolving issues, and documenting interfaces across components​.

• Product Support Documentation Development: Instructions for creating end-use documentation (e.g., user manuals, maintenance manuals), which include standards for formatting and reviewing such documentation​.

3. Templates and Checklists

• Technical Data Package (TDP) Template: This template provides a format for documenting design details, component specifications, and interface information required for manufacturing or coding product components​.

• Design Review Checklist: A checklist to verify that designs meet all allocated requirements, design constraints, and standards. This includes items for modularity, reliability, and adherence to product-specific needs​​.

• Coding Standards and Style Guide: A template or checklist to ensure code quality and consistency, applicable for the coding phase in software solutions​.

4. Configuration Management and Change Control

• Configuration Management (CM) Plan: Instructions or procedures detailing version control, documentation updates, and processes for implementing and tracking changes in technical solutions and interfaces​​.

• Nonconformance and Change Management Forms: Templates for documenting and addressing deviations in design or implementation, often used during the verification and validation stages​.

These documents ensure that each step in the technical solution process is documented, reviewed, and adheres to standards, supporting both quality assurance and traceability throughout the solution's lifecycle.