Which statement describes the Level 4 intent that includes Level 5 practices?

Which statement describes the Level 4 intent that includes Level 5 practices?

• A. The intent of all predefined PAs up to and including Level 4 practices is achieved at Practice Group 4
• B. The intent of all predefined PAs up to and including Level 3 practices is achieved at Practice Group 3
• C. The intent of all predefined PAs up to and including Level 2 practices is achieved at Practice Group 2
• D. The intent of all predefined PAs up to and including Level 5 practices is achieved at Practice Group 5

Answer: (D)

In CMMI’s staged representation, levels are cumulative. Achieving Level N means you’ve implemented all predefined Process Areas (PAs) up to that level, and the practices at higher levels build on and extend what was accomplished before. Level 4 focuses on managing process performance with quantitative methods, and Level 5 adds ongoing optimization to continually improve that performance. Because the framework is designed so higher levels include the outcomes of the lower ones, by the time you reach Practice Group 5 you’ve satisfied the intents of all PAs up to Level 5, including the intents from Level 4. This is why describing the Level 4 intent as including Level 5 practices is best captured by saying that all predefined PAs up to Level 5 are achieved at Practice Group 5.

In CMMI’s staged representation, levels are cumulative. Achieving Level N means you’ve implemented all predefined Process Areas (PAs) up to that level, and the practices at higher levels build on and extend what was accomplished before. Level 4 focuses on managing process performance with quantitative methods, and Level 5 adds ongoing optimization to continually improve that performance. Because the framework is designed so higher levels include the outcomes of the lower ones, by the time you reach Practice Group 5 you’ve satisfied the intents of all PAs up to Level 5, including the intents from Level 4. This is why describing the Level 4 intent as including Level 5 practices is best captured by saying that all predefined PAs up to Level 5 are achieved at Practice Group 5.