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May 2004

Catapult Technology receives CMMI level II certification SEI authorized SCAMPI team evaluates Catapult

Bethesda, Maryland, May, 2004 - In 2003, Catapult initiated an internal company-wide process improvement effort using an approach recognized by process experts as “industry best practices.” On May 26, 2004, Catapult Technology was assessed by an SEI authorized SCAMPI team at Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) level II.

The Software Engineering Institute (SEI) of Carnegie Mellon University has developed CMMI, a concept represented by products including an integrated set of models, an appraisal method and a training program. CMMI is a concept represented by products including an integrated set of models, an appraisal method and a training program.

Several different models of CMMI have been established, according to the disciplines covered by that model. Catapult holds CMMI-SE/SW/IPPD certification, specifically: SE, systems engineering; SW, software engineering; and IPPD, integrated product and process development model.

CMMI is based on five levels of maturity, with each level consisting of several process areas, which are comprised of specific and generic goals and practices. Maturity level II has six process areas (configuration management, process and product quality assurance, measurement and analysis, project monitoring and control, project planning and requirements management) and 122 specific and generic practices.

CMMI provides a structured model for process improvement. Catapult has already experienced many benefits resulting from documenting procedures and following this guidance, such as early corrective action and continuous process improvement Quality audits find deficiencies early in the process. Risk management allows all stakeholders to be aware of project risks and take appropriate action. The internal program management review process and customer program management review process increase communication regarding the “health” of a project.

Catapult Technology President and CEO Randy Slager praised the certification process and looked to the future:

“In 2003, I identified ‘achieving CMMI Level II’ as a strategic objective for the company. I am very proud to announce that on May 26, 2004, this goal was realized. After almost a year of developing processes, implementing processes, completing training and collecting volumes of evidence, Catapult has achieved CMMI Level II Certification.

“The team effort by all Catapult employees involved with helping us achieve this goal is inspiring. I want to thank all who helped write procedures, participated in formal inspections, took the training and implemented the new processes and procedures. Our CMMI consultants have told me that this was one of the best ‘process improvement deployments’ they have seen.

“In the near future we will roll-out these processes on other software projects and have already begun ‘gearing-up’ to achieve CMMI Level III.”