The glossary defines the basic terms used in CMMI models. Glossary entries are typically multiple-word terms consisting of a noun and one or more restrictive modifiers. (There are some exceptions to this rule that account for one-word terms in the glossary.)

The CMMI glossary of terms is not a required, expected, or informative component of CMMI models. Interpret the terms in the glossary in the context of the model component in which they appear.

To formulate definitions appropriate for CMMI, we consulted multiple sources. We first consulted the Merriam-Webster OnLine dictionary (http://www.merriam-webster.com/). We also consulted other standards as needed, including the following:

· ISO 9000 [ISO 2005a]

· ISO/IEC 12207 [ISO 2008a]

· ISO/IEC 15504 [ISO 2006a]

· ISO/IEC 15288 [ISO 2008b]

· ISO/IEC 15939 [ISO 2007]

· ISO 20000-1 [ISO 2005b]

· IEEE [IEEE 1991]

· CMM for Software (SW-CMM) v1.1

· EIA 632 [EIA 2003]

· SA-CMM [SEI 2002]

· People CMM (P-CMM) [Curtis 2009]

· CobiT v. 4.0 [IT Governance 2005]

· ITIL v3 (Service Improvement, Service Design, Service Operation, Service Strategy, and Service Transition) [Office of Government Commerce 2007]

We developed the glossary recognizing the importance of using terminology that all model users can understand. We also recognized that words and terms can have different meanings in different contexts and environments. The glossary in CMMI models is designed to document the meanings of words and terms that should have the widest use and understanding by users of CMMI products.

Even though the term “product” includes services as well as products and the term “service” is defined as a type of product, many of the terms in the glossary contain both the words “product” and “service” to emphasize that CMMI applies to both products and services.

Every glossary entry has two to three components. There is always a term and always a definition. Sometimes additional notes are provided.

The term defined is listed on the left side of the page. The definition appears first in a type size similar to the term listed. Glossary notes follow the definition and are in a smaller type size.