ABSTRACT
Agile software development has become the number one software development methodology in the United States and in more than 25 other countries. The history of the agile methods is not as clear as the history of the capability maturity model integrated (CMMI) because the agile methods are somewhat diverse. High CMMI levels are primarily found in the defense sector, although some civilian groups also achieve high CMMI levels. What the CMMI provides is a solid framework of activities, much better rigor in the areas of quality control and change management, and much better measurement of progress, quality, and productivity than was previously the norm. The CMMI take a strong stand that measurements of quality, productivity, schedules, costs, and so on are a necessary adjunct to process improvement and should be done well. In the view of the CMMI, without data that demonstrates effective progress, it is hard to prove that a methodology is a success or not.
