appraisal method

Following the development of the Capability Maturity Model for Software (SW-CMM), some systems engineers determined that they would create a similar model for systems engineering. Version 1.0 of the Systems Engineering Capability Maturity Model (SE-CMM) was piloted in 1994, and Version 1.1 was released on November 1, 1995. This model is extremely useful. It contains 18 process areas (PA), each with base practices. A SE-CMM Appraisal Method (SAM) was also developed. SAM Version 1.1 is dated March 1996. It too was developed by the SE-CMM collaboration members, primarily systems engineers from major companies.

The EIA G-47 Committee initiated an effort to merge the INCOSE System Engineering Capability Assessment Model (SECAM) and the EPIC SE-CMM in 1996. EIA Interim Standard (IS) 731, Version 1.0 was released on January 20, 1998. It contained two parts: Part 1 was the Systems Engineering Capability Model (SECM) and Part 2 was the SECM Appraisal Method. The purpose of this standard is to support the development and improvement of system engineering. Attention to this standard has become overcome by events (OBE) because of the Integrated Capability Maturity Model (CMMI) initiative, being driven by the U.S. DoD, and being worked by the NDIA by representatives of the EIA and the SEI.