Process Performance: Words of Wisdom

Process performance forms the cornerstone of the high-maturity concepts in the CMMIregistered trademark. High maturity generates great discussion in the CMMI-based process improvement world. However, understanding process performance provides benefits to an organization whether or not it adopts the CMMI. The CMMI provides a framework for an organizations process improvement efforts. At its highest levels, the CMMI describes how an organization can use process performance measures to understand and improve its business processes. While this article will mention the high-maturity process areas from the CMMI, it will primarily focus on the analysis of process performance to help an organization. Comments from wise men and women throughout history illustrate ideas related to process performance. In one of his songs, Jimmy Buffett said, Chasing illusions can get quite confusing. This is true of the use of process performance measures. To understand how the use of process performance measures affect an organization, it is good to look back at some words of wisdom related to the concepts behind the use of performance measures and results. This article will illustrate the practical meaning and benefits of understanding process performance by drawing connections to famous quotes.