IBM India’s Global Delivery Center (GDC) Appraised at Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) Level 5, Version 1.2

IBM India (NYSE: IBM) today announced that its Global Delivery Center (GDC) has been appraised at the highest rating -- Level 5 -- for the version 1.2 of Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) framework by the Carnegie Mellon University’s Software Engineering Institute (SEI). IBM India GDC is one of the first few organizations in the world of its size and operational complexity to have achieved this impeccable credential.

The appraisal process included evaluation of IBM’s projects in Application Services from all six global delivery centers in India (Bangalore, Chennai, Gurgaon, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Pune), showcasing IBM’s continued leadership and success in delivering superior services to its clients globally.
Receiving this accreditation, Rajesh Nambiar, vice president and general manager, Global Delivery, IBM India, said, “This prestigious accreditation is a testament to IBM’s globally benchmarked delivery capabilities and its leadership in the global delivery services arena. With focus on innovation, IBM teams strive for the best results in improving clients’ IT and business processes. At IBM process improvement and optimization is a never ending journey and our clients are assured of seamless delivery excellence, irrespective of their geographic location.”

The On-Demand Process Asset Library (OPAL) was the facility cited by SEI for the recognition. OPAL, designed by IBM as a reference management system, is used by the practitioners across the globe for implementing service delivery processes. It is an integrated, web-based repository that provides a connection between IBM project management policies, procedures, and tools automation guidance and provides access to other relevant IBM assets.

“OPAL constitutes the foundation of an in-house Quality Management System consistently followed by IBMers across the globe. Being appraised at CMMI Level 5 Version 1.2 demonstrates conformance of IBM’s processes to world class standards,” said Anand Vaishampayan, head - Quality and Processes, IBM India Global Delivery.

IBM India GDC was earlier appraised at Level 5 for version 1.1, in November 2003. The company has earned several other important assessments including PCMM Level 5, ISO 9001:2000, and ISO 27001.

About the Software Engineering Institute (SEI)
Since 1984, the Carnegie Mellon® Software Engineering Institute (SEI) has served the nation as a federally funded research and development center. The SEI staff has advanced software engineering principles and practices and has served as a national resource in software engineering, computer security, and process improvement. As part of Carnegie Mellon University, which is well known for its highly rated programs in computer science and engineering, the SEI operates at the leading edge of technical innovation.

CMMI, developed and popularized by the Software Engineering Institute (SEI), is used to assess the level of process maturity of an IT organization’s Software Processes. This framework is a standard, widely used and accepted across the globe, particularly by IT organizations. It can be used to guide process improvement across a project, a division or an entire organization. CMMI helps integrate traditionally separate organizational functions, set process improvement goals and priorities, provide guidance for quality processes and provide a point of reference for appraising current processes.