Note: - No one is going to ask such a question. But they would like to know at least the purpose of each KPA. Second they would like to know what you did to attain compatibility to these process areas. For instance you say that you did Organizational Process Definition. They would like to know how you did it. For instance you can justify it by saying that you made standard documents for coding standards which was then followed at the organization level for reference. Normally every one follows process it’s only that they do not know. So try to map the KPA to the process what you follow. The only purpose to paste all the KPA is if in case you are looking for some higher positions in big companies they really expect you to speak in term of KPA rather than generic term. This whole stuff can be like a quick reference for you before entering the interview room.
Each process area is defined by a set of goals and practices. There are two categories of goals and practices: generic and specific. Generic goals and practices are a part of every process area. Specific goals and practices are specific to a given process area. A process area is satisfied when company processes cover all of the generic and specific goals and practices for that process area.
Generic goals and practices
Generic goals and practices are a part of every process area.
GG 1 Achieve Specific Goals
GP 1.1 Perform Base Practices
GG 2 Institutionalize a Managed Process
GP 2.1 Establish an Organizational Policy
GP 2.2 Plan the Process
GP 2.3 Provide Resources
GP 2.4 Assign Responsibility
GP 2.5 Train People
GP 2.6 Manage Configurations
GP 2.7 Identify and Involve Relevant Stakeholders
GP 2.8 Monitor and Control the Process
GP 2.9 Objectively Evaluate Adherence
GP 2.10 Review Status with Higher Level Management
GG 3 Institutionalize a Defined Process
GP 3.1 Establish a Defined Process
GP 3.2 Collect Improvement Information
GG 4 Institutionalize a Quantitatively Managed Process
GP 4.1 Establish Quantitative Objectives for the Process
GP 4.2 Stabilize Sub process Performance
GG 5 Institutionalize an Optimizing Process
GP 5.1 Ensure Continuous Process Improvement
GP 5.2 Correct Root Causes of Problems
Process areas
The CMMI contains 25 key process areas indicating the aspects of product development that are to be covered by company processes.
Causal Analysis and Resolution (CAR)
A Support process area at Maturity Level 5
Purpose
The purpose of Causal Analysis and Resolution (CAR) is to identify causes of defects and other problems and take action to prevent them from occurring in the future.
Specific Practices by Goal
SG 1 Determine Causes of Defects
SP 1.1-1 Select Defect Data for Analysis
SP 1.2-1 Analyze Causes
SG 2 Address Causes of Defects
SP 2.1-1 Implement the Action Proposals
SP 2.2-1 Evaluate the Effect of Changes
SP 2.3-1 Record Data
Configuration Management (CM)
A Support process area at Maturity Level 2
Purpose
The purpose of Configuration Management (CM) is to establish and maintain the integrity of work products using configuration identification, configuration control, configuration status accounting, and configuration audits.
Specific Practices by Goal
SG 1 Establish Baselines
SP 1.1-1 Identify Configuration Items
SP 1.2-1 Establish a Configuration Management System
SP 1.3-1 Create or Release Baselines
SG 2 Track and Control Changes
SP 2.1-1 Track Change Requests
SP 2.2-1 Control Configuration Items
SG 3 Establish Integrity
SP 3.1-1 Establish Configuration Management Records
SP 3.2-1 Perform Configuration Audits
Decision Analysis and Resolution (DAR)
A Support process area at Maturity Level 3
Purpose
The purpose of Decision Analysis and Resolution (DAR) is to analyze possible decisions using a formal evaluation process that evaluates identified alternatives against established criteria.
Specific Practices by Goal
SG 1 Evaluate Alternatives
SP 1.1-1 Establish Guidelines for Decision Analysis
SP 1.2-1 Establish Evaluation Criteria
SP 1.3-1 Identify Alternative Solutions
SP 1.4-1 Select Evaluation Methods
SP 1.5-1 Evaluate Alternatives
SP 1.6-1 Select Solutions
Integrated Project Management (IPM)
A Project Management process area at Maturity Level 3
Purpose
The purpose of Integrated Project Management (IPM) is to establish and manage the project and the involvement of the relevant stakeholders according to an integrated and defined process that is tailored from the organization's set of standard processes.
Specific Practices by Goal
SG 1 Use the Project's Defined Process
SP 1.1-1 Establish the Project's Defined Process
SP 1.2-1 Use Organizational Process Assets for Planning Project Activities
SP 1.3-1 Integrate Plans
SP 1.4-1 Manage the Project Using the Integrated Plans
SP 1.5-1 Contribute to the Organizational Process Assets
SG 2 Coordinate and Collaborate with Relevant Stakeholders
SP 2.1-1 Manage Stakeholder Involvement
SP 2.2-1 Manage Dependencies
SP 2.3-1 Resolve Coordination Issues
SG 3 Use the Project's Shared Vision for IPPD
SP 3.1-1 Define Project's Shared Vision for IPPD
SP 3.2-1 Establish the Project's Shared Vision
SG 4 Organize Integrated Teams for IPPD
SP 4.1-1 Determine Integrated Team Structure for the Project
SP 4.2-1 Develop a Preliminary Distribution of Requirements to Integrated Teams
SP 4.3-1 Establish Integrated Teams
Integrated Supplier Management (ISM)
A Project Management process area at Maturity Level 3
Purpose
The purpose of Integrated Supplier Management (ISM) is to proactively identify sources of products that may be used to satisfy the project's requirements and to manage selected suppliers while maintaining a cooperative project-supplier relationship.
Specific Practices by Goal
SG 1 Analyze and Select Sources of Products
SP 1.1-1 Analyze Potential Sources of Products
SP 1.2-1 Evaluate and Determine Sources of Products
SG 2 Coordinate Work with Suppliers
SP 2.1-1 Monitor Selected Supplier Processes
SP 2.2-1 Evaluate Selected Supplier Work Products
SP 2.3-1 Revise the Supplier Agreement or Relationship
Integrated Teaming (IT)
A Project Management process area at Maturity Level 3
Purpose
The purpose of Integrated Teaming (IT) is to form and sustain an integrated team for the development of work products.
Specific Practices by Goal
SG 1 Establish Team Composition
SP 1.1-1 Identify Team Tasks
SP 1.2-1 Identify Needed Knowledge and Skills
SP 1.3-1 Assign Appropriate Team Members
SG 2 Govern Team Operation
SP 2.1-1 Establish a Shared Vision
SP 2.2-1 Establish a Team Charter
SP 2.3-1 Define Roles and Responsibilities
SP 2.4-1 Establish Operating Procedures
SP 2.5-1 Collaborate among Interfacing Teams
Measurement and Analysis (MA)
A Support process area at Maturity Level 2
Purpose
The purpose of Measurement and Analysis (MA) is to develop and sustain a measurement capability that is used to support management information needs.
Specific Practices by Goal
SG 1 Align Measurement and Analysis Activities
SP 1.1-1 Establish Measurement Objectives
SP 1.2-1 Specify Measures SP 1.3-1 Specify Data Collection and Storage Procedures
SP 1.4-1 Specify Analysis Procedures
SG 2 Provide Measurement Results
SP 2.1-1 Collect Measurement Data
SP 2.2-1 Analyze Measurement Data
SP 2.3-1 Store Data and Results
SP 2.4-1 Communicate Results
Organizational Environment for Integration (OEI)
A Support process area at Maturity Level 3
Purpose
The purpose of Organizational Environment for Integration (OEI) is to provide an Integrated Product and Process Development (IPPD) infrastructure and manage people for integration.
Specific Practices by Goal
SG 1 Provide IPPD Infrastructure
SP 1.1-1 Establish the Organization's Shared Vision
SP 1.2-1 Establish an Integrated Work Environment
SP 1.3-1 Identify IPPD-Unique Skill Requirements
SG 2 Manage People for Integration
SP 2.1-1 Establish Leadership Mechanisms
SP 2.2-1 Establish Incentives for Integration
SP 2.3-1 Establish Mechanisms to Balance Team and Home Organization Responsibilities
Organizational Innovation and Deployment (OID)
A Process Management process area at Maturity Level 5
Purpose
The purpose of Organizational Innovation and Deployment (OID) is to select and deploy incremental and innovative improvements that measurably improve the organization's processes and technologies. The improvements support the organization's quality and process-performance objectives as derived from the organization's business objectives.
Specific Practices by Goal
SG 1 Select Improvements
SP 1.1-1 Collect and Analyze Improvement Proposals
SP 1.2-1 Identify and Analyze Innovations
SP 1.3-1 Pilot Improvements
SP 1.4-1 Select Improvements for Deployment
SG 2 Deploy Improvements
SP 2.1-1 Plan the Deployment areas
SP 2.2-1 Manage the Deployment
SP 2.3-1 Measure Improvement Effects
Organizational Process Definition (OPD)
A Process Management process area at Maturity Level 3
Purpose
The purpose of Organizational Process Definition (OPD) is to establish and maintain a usable set of organizational process assets.
Specific Practices by Goal
SG 1 Establish Organizational Process Assets
SP 1.1-1 Establish Standard Processes
SP 1.2-1 Establish Life-Cycle Model Descriptions
SP 1.3-1 Establish Tailoring Criteria and Guidelines
SP 1.4-1 Establish the Organization's Measurement Repository
SP 1.5-1 Establish the Organization's Process Asset Library
Organizational Process Focus (OPF)
A Process Management process area at Maturity Level 3
Purpose
The purpose of Organizational Process Focus (OPF) is to plan and implement organizational process improvement based on a thorough understanding of the current strengths and weaknesses of the organization's processes and process assets.
Specific Practices by Goal
SG 1 Determine Process Improvement Opportunities
SP 1.1-1 Establish Organizational Process Needs
SP 1.2-1 Appraise the Organization's Processes
SP 1.3-1 Identify the Organization's Process Improvements
SG 2 Plan and Implement Process Improvement Activities
SP 2.1-1 Establish Process Action Plans
SP 2.2-1 Implement Process Action Plans
SP 2.3-1 Deploy Organizational Process Assets
SP 2.4-1 Incorporate Process-Related Experiences into the Organizational Process Assets
Organizational Process Performance (OPP)
A Process Management process area at Maturity Level 4
Purpose
The purpose of Organizational Process Performance (OPP) is to establish and maintain a quantitative understanding of the performance of the organization's set of standard processes in support of quality and process-performance objectives, and to provide the process performance data, baselines, and models to quantitatively manage the organization's projects.
Specific Practices by Goal
SG 1 Establish Performance Baselines and Models
SP 1.1-1 Select Processes
SP 1.2-1 Establish Process Performance Measures
SP 1.3-1 Establish Quality and Process Performance Objectives
SP 1.4-1 Establish Process Performance Baselines
SP 1.5-1 Establish Process Performance Models
Organizational Training (OT)
A Process Management process area at Maturity Level 3
Purpose
The purpose of Organizational Training (OT) is to develop the skills and knowledge of people so that they can perform their roles effectively and efficiently.
Specific Practices by Goal
SG 1 Establish an Organizational Training Capability
SP 1.1-1 Establish the Strategic Training Needs
SP 1.2-1 Determine Which Training Needs Are the Responsibility of the Organization
SP 1.3-1 Establish an Organizational Training Tactical Plan
SP 1.4-1 Establish Training Capability SG 2 Provide Necessary Training
SP 2.1-1 Deliver Training
SP 2.2-1 Establish Training Records
SP 2.3-1 Assess Training Effectiveness
Product Integration (PI)
An Engineering process area at Maturity Level 3
Purpose
The purpose of Product Integration (PI) is to assemble the product from the product components, ensure that the product, as integrated, functions properly and deliver the product.
Specific Practices by Goal
SG 1 Prepare for Product Integration
SP 1.1-1 Determine Integration Sequence
SP 1.2-1 Establish the Product Integration Environment
SP 1.3-1 Establish Product Integration Procedures and Criteria
SG 2 Ensure Interface Compatibility
SP 2.1-1 Review Interface Descriptions for Completeness
SP 2.2-1 Manage Interfaces
SG 3 Assemble Product Components and Deliver the Product
SP 3.1-1 Confirm Readiness of Product Components for Integration
SP 3.2-1 Assemble Product Components
SP 3.3-1 Evaluate Assembled Product Components
SP 3.4-1 Package and Deliver the Product or Product Component
Project Monitoring and Control (PMC)
A Project Management process area at Maturity Level 2
Purpose
The purpose of Project Monitoring and Control (PMC) is to provide an understanding of the project's progress so that appropriate corrective actions can be taken when the project's performance deviates significantly from the plan.
Specific Practices by Goals
SG 1 Monitor Project against Plan
SP 1.1-1 Monitor Project Planning Parameters
SP 1.2-1 Monitor Commitments
SP 1.3-1 Monitor Project Risks
SP 1.4-1 Monitor Data Management
SP 1.5-1 Monitor Stakeholder Involvement
SP 1.6-1 Conduct Progress Reviews
SP 1.7-1 Conduct Milestone Reviews
SG 2 Manage Corrective Action to Closure
SP 2.1-1 Analyze Issues SP 2.2-1 Take Corrective Action
SP 2.3-1 Manage Corrective Action
Project Planning (PP)
A Project Management process area at Maturity Level 2
Purpose
The purpose of Project Planning (PP) is to establish and maintain plans that define project activities.
Specific Practices by Goal
SG 1 Establish Estimates
SP 1.1-1 Estimate the Scope of the Project
SP 1.2-1 Establish Estimates of Work Product and Task Attributes
SP 1.3-1 Define Project Life Cycle
SP 1.4-1 Determine Estimates of Effort and Cost
SG 2 Develop a Project Plan
SP 2.1-1 Establish the Budget and Schedule
SP 2.2-1 Identify Project Risks
SP 2.3-1 Plan for Data Management
SP 2.4-1 Plan for Project Resources
SP 2.5-1 Plan for Needed Knowledge and Skills
SP 2.6-1 Plan Stakeholder Involvement
SP 2.7-1 Establish the Project Plan
SG 3 Obtain Commitment to the Plan
SP 3.1-1 Review Plans that Affect the Project
SP 3.2-1 Reconcile Work and Resource Levels
SP 3.3-1 Obtain Plan Commitment
Process and Product Quality Assurance (PPQA)
A Support process area at Maturity Level 2
Purpose
The purpose of Process and Product Quality Assurance (PPQA) is to provide staff and management with objective insight into processes and associated work products.
Specific Practices by Goal
SG 1 Objectively Evaluate Processes and Work Products
SP 1.1-1 Objectively Evaluate Processes
SP 1.2-1 Objectively Evaluate Work Products and Services
SG 2 Provide Objective Insight
SP 2.1-1 Communicate and Ensure Resolution of Noncompliance Issues
SP 2.2-1 Establish Records
Quantitative Project Management (QPM)
A Project Management process area at Maturity Level 4
Purpose
The purpose of the Quantitative Project Management (QPM) process area is to quantitatively manage the project's defined process to achieve the project's established quality and process-performance objectives.
Specific Practices by Goal
SG 1 Quantitatively Manage the Project
SP 1.1-1 Establish the Project's Objectives
SP 1.2-1 Compose the Defined Processes
SP 1.3-1 Select the Sub processes that Will Be Statistically Managed
SP 1.4-1 Manage Project Performance
SG 2 Statistically Manage Sub process Performance
SP 2.1-1 Select Measures and Analytic Techniques
SP 2.2-1 Apply Statistical Methods to Understand Variation
SP 2.3-1 Monitor Performance of the Selected Sub processes
SP 2.4-1 Record Statistical Management Data
Requirements Development (RD)
An Engineering process area at Maturity Level 3
Purpose
The purpose of Requirements Development (RD) is to produce and analyze customer, product, and product-component requirements.
Specific Practices by Goal
SG 1 Develop Customer Requirements
SP 1.1-1 Collect Stakeholder Needs
SP 1.1-2 Elicit Needs
SP 1.2-1 Develop the Customer Requirements
SG 2 Develop Product Requirements
SP 2.1-1 Establish Product and Product-Component Requirements
SP 2.2-1 Allocate Product-Component Requirements
SP 2.3-1 Identify Interface Requirements
SG 3 Analyze and Validate Requirements
SP 3.1-1 Establish Operational Concepts and Scenarios
SP 3.2-1 Establish a Definition of Required Functionality
SP 3.3-1 Analyze Requirements
SP 3.4-3 Analyze Requirements to Achieve Balance
SP 3.5-1 Validate Requirements
SP 3.5-2 Validate Requirements with Comprehensive Methods
Requirements Management (REQM)
An Engineering process area at Maturity Level 2
Purpose
The purpose of Requirements Management (REQM) is to manage the requirements of the project's products and product components and to identify inconsistencies between those requirements and the project's plans and work products.
Specific Practices by Goal
SG 1 Manage Requirements
SP 1.1-1 Obtain an Understanding of Requirements
SP 1.2-2 Obtain Commitment to Requirements SP 1.3-1 Manage Requirements Changes SP 1.4-2 Maintain Bidirectional Traceability of Requirements
SP 1.5-1 Identify Inconsistencies between Project Work and Requirements
Risk Management (RSKM)
A Project Management process area at Maturity Level 3
Purpose
The purpose of Risk Management (RSKM) is to identify potential problems before they occur so that risk-handling activities can be planned and invoked as needed across the life of the product or project to mitigate adverse impacts on achieving objectives.
Specific Practices by Goal
SG 1 Prepare for Risk Management
SP 1.1-1 Determine Risk Sources and Categories
SP 1.2-1 Define Risk Parameters
SP 1.3-1 Establish a Risk Management Strategy
SG 2 Identify and Analyze Risks
SP 2.1-1 Identify Risks
SP 2.2-1 Evaluate, Categorize, and Prioritize Risks
SG 3 Mitigate Risks
SP 3.1-1 Develop Risk Mitigation Plans
SP 3.2-1 Implement Risk Mitigation Plans
Supplier Agreement Management (SAM)
A Project Management process area at Maturity Level 2
Purpose
The purpose of Supplier Agreement Management (SAM) is to manage the acquisition of products from suppliers for which there exists a formal agreement.
Specific Practices by Goal
SG 1 Establish Supplier Agreements
SP 1.1-1 Determine Acquisition Type
SP 1.2-1 Select Suppliers
SP 1.3-1 Establish Supplier Agreements
SG 2 Satisfy Supplier Agreements
SP 2.1-1 Review COTS Products
SP 2.2-1 Execute the Supplier Agreement
SP 2.3-1 Accept the Acquired Product
SP 2.4-1 Transition Products
Technical Solution (TS)
An Engineering process area at Maturity Level 3
Purpose
The purpose of Technical Solution (TS) is to design, develop, and implement solutions to requirements. Solutions, designs, and implementations encompass products, product components, and product-related life-cycle processes either alone or in appropriate combination.
Specific Practices by Goal
SG 1 Select Product-Component Solutions
SP 1.1-1 Develop Alternative Solutions and Selection Criteria
SP 1.1-2 Develop Detailed Alternative Solutions and Selection Criteria
SP 1.2-2 Evolve Operational Concepts and Scenarios
SP 1.3-1 Select Product-Component Solutions
SG 2 Develop the Design
SP 2.1-1 Design the Product or Product Component
SP 2.2-3 Establish a Technical Data Package
SP 2.3-1 Establish Interface Descriptions
SP 2.3-3 Design Interfaces Using Criteria
SP 2.4-3 Perform Make, Buy, or Reuse Analyses
SG 3 Implement the Product Design
SP 3.1-1 Implement the Design
SP 3.2-1 Develop Product Support
Documentation Validation (VAL)
An Engineering process area at Maturity Level 3
Purpose
The purpose of Validation (VAL) is to demonstrate that a product or product component fulfills its intended use when placed in its intended environment.
Specific Practices by Goal
SG 1 Prepare for Validation
SP 1.1-1 Select Products for Validation
SP 1.2-2 Establish the Validation Environment
SP 1.3-3 Establish Validation Procedures and Criteria
SG 2 Validate Product or Product Components
SP 2.1-1 Perform Validation
SP 2.2-1 Analyze Validation Results
Verification (VER)
An Engineering process area at Maturity Level 3
Purpose
The purpose of Verification (VER) is to ensure that a selected work product meets their specified requirements.
Specific Practices by Goal
SG 1 Prepare for Verification
SP 1.1-1 Select Work Products for Verification
SP 1.2-2 Establish the Verification Environment
SP 1.3-3 Establish Verification Procedures and Criteria
SG 2 Perform Peer Reviews
SP 2.1-1 Prepare for Peer Reviews
SP 2.2-1 Conduct Peer Reviews
SP 2.3-2 Analyze Peer Review Data
SG 3 Verify Selected Work Products
SP 3.1-1 Perform Verification
SP 3.2-2 Analyze Verification Results and Identify Corrective Action.