Making the Philippines CMMI Self-Sufficient - Software and Systems Process Improvement Network by DigitalFilipino.com

(This is an update of an article that I published in 2002.)

It is a known fact that the Philippines software development industry is way behind compared to India than how it was 10 years ago. We must get our act together if we still desire to catch up with the big players, get more than just maintenance and small scale software development projects.

For CMM to be advocated and grow in this country, the government, NGOs, and private sector must take the lead and put matters in their own hands. Getting government support is a natural option but it is something that can't be solely relied upon. With so many programs struggling for prioritization in the government’s budget, getting the necessary resources is not easy.

Among other things, CMM certification should help software companies here to compete more effectively and to stand a better chance to get business in the international market.

The Challenge and Opportunity

However, the challenge of becoming CMMI self-sufficient is not just on the training aspect but getting the companies certified. At present, CMMI certification is deemed expensive but known as essential for an organization’s international growth.

For a 20-man company, an assessment can take up to 7 days while the bigger ones would take 15 to 30 days. A CMMI assessor/trainer professional fee would cost US$500 to 1500 per day, depending on the consultant’s rate.

If a grant can be furnished, it can specifically focused on getting companies certified and have potential lead assessors trained.

To select the recipient of the grant, a minimal fee can be charged which can be used for baseline assessment taking from 3 to 5 days. Those who will pass the baseline assessment can be considered as recipients of the grant and undergo formal assessment (7 to 15 days).

Companies who wanted to benefit from the grant should agree to the following:

Undergo baseline assessment shouldering the expense.
If qualified for the grant, the company must be willing to have the assessor bring in two recognized assessor trainees (by the grant-giving body) during the evaluation process. The assessors are fully aware that the details of the assessment are considered as confidential and can’t be disclosed without proper consent.
If the company passed the assessment, the assessor’s fee shall be reimbursed by the grant body.
The company should also agree to give testimony to the effectiveness of the grant program.

The grant should also address the need to develop CMMI lead assessors in the country. The trainee lead assessors must have been able to attend an accredited SEI Introduction and Advanced CMMI training. Once selected, the trainees must agree to the following:

Participate in two assessments with reasonable allowance per day.
Be sponsored by their respective companies to attend the CMMI Lead Assessor program in the US. The training cost will be shouldered by the grant. Hotel and airfare by the trainee’s company.
Conduct a CMMI assessment with a CMMI lead observer who will certify if the CMMI trainee qualifies as an assessor.
If the trainee qualifies as an assessor, it must agree to conduct two CMMI assessments under the grant body at reasonable rates.
Should the trainee pursue in becoming a CMMI instructor. He or she can be sponsored to attend the CMMI Trainer program in the US. Training cost will be shouldered by the grant. Hotel and airfare by the trainee’s company.
Conduct CMMI training with a CMMI lead observer who will certify if the CMMI trainee qualifies as a trainer.
If the trainee qualifies as a trainer, it must agree to conduct two CMM training under the grant body at trainee rates.

The paper that I wrote in 2002 earned great feedback and glad that it became a reference to the government’s CMM advocacy program. Although that pushed through, it didn’t adopt the portion of developing assessors. As a result, foreign consultants have been able to take advantage of our country’s growing requirements in this area.

The Philippines has gone a long way since the awareness of CMM and CMMI have increased. From 1 company in 2002 attaining a CMMI Level 5 stature, we now have nearly 10 companies formally assessed as CMMI level 3, some are level 5.

There are also 3 associations today who are working hard to ensure that country’s software development sector will grow and be proud of flaunting its capability to deliver world-class software products.

The Philippine software development is indeed on its way of becoming a mature sector with a 2010 vision being worked on. If the private sector will continuously focus on its big picture industry objectives and set aside differences, the software development sector shall be on its way - towards greatness.

However, it must not forget that achieving CMMI self-sufficiency is an important part of the agenda, if the intent is to achieve critical mass.