How often should organizations conduct a CMMI self-assessment?

Organizations should conduct a CMMI self-assessment annually, or in alignment with their strategic planning cycles, to ensure that they are consistently evaluating their processes and performance against the CMMI framework. This regular assessment helps organizations identify areas for improvement, track progress, and ensure that their practices are aligned with strategic goals.

Conducting the assessment on an annual basis allows organizations to systematically review their capabilities, gather insights from stakeholders, and make informed decisions about process enhancements. Furthermore, aligning the assessment with strategic planning cycles reinforces the connection between organizational goals and process management, ensuring that improvements are relevant and timely.

This approach enables organizations to maintain a continuous improvement mindset, ensuring that their practices evolve in response to changing organizational needs and external demands. Regular assessments also facilitate the identification of measurable process outcomes that can demonstrate progress over time.