The CMMI-SVC model provides guidance for applying CMMI best practices in a service provider organization. Best practices in the model focus on activities for providing quality services to customers and end users. CMMI-SVC integrates bodies of knowledge that are essential for a service provider.

The CMMI-SVC, V1.3 model is a collection of service best practices from government and industry that is generated from the CMMI V1.3 Architecture and Framework.[1] CMMI-SVC is based on the CMMI Model Foundation or CMF (i.e., model components common to all CMMI models and constellations[2]) and incorporates work by service organizations to adapt CMMI for use in the service industry.

CMMI-SVC provides a comprehensive set of best practices for providing services. CMMI for Development (CMMI-DEV) can be treated as a reference for the development of the service system, which supports delivery of the service [SEI 2010a]. In cases in which the service system is large and complex, the CMMI-DEV model can be effectively used to develop such a system. (See the definition of “service system” in the glossary.)