What does the first maturity level in CMMI focus on?

The first maturity level in CMMI is characterized by a focus on initial processes that are unpredictable and reactive. At this level, organizations often lack stable processes and rely on individual efforts to complete work. The processes in this stage are typically ad hoc, meaning they are not well-defined or documented, which can lead to inconsistent outcomes.

In essence, the first maturity level represents the baseline from which organizations begin their journey toward process improvement. It emphasizes that processes do not follow a standardized approach and can vary significantly from project to project, leading to potential chaos and unpredictability in performance.

Understanding this level is crucial because it highlights the challenges organizations face when starting their improvement journeys. Progressing beyond this maturity level involves moving toward establishing defined and standard processes, which is a feature of subsequent levels in the CMMI framework.