CMMI (Capabilities Maturity Model - Integrated) was developed by Software Engineering Institute (SEI) at Carnegie Melon University as a means of assessing the maturity of software development organizations and is used as a benchmark for selecting organizations for assigning software development work.

SEI defined five levels of maturity, namely,

1. Performed
2. Managed 
3. Defined
4. Quantitatively Managed
5. Optmizing

Many organizations worldover are seeking and achieving the desired maturity level certification. While there are two paths to maturity, namely, Continuous and Staged, most organizations take the staged representations of the model.

To achieve the desired level of maturity, the organization has to fulfill the goals of the model -

1. Each level has a defined set of KPAs (Key Process Areas)
2.  Each KPA has a defined set of Specific Goals
3. Each Specific Goal can be achieved by performing a defined set of  Specific Practices 
4. Each Specific Practice is achieved by performing a defined set of Specific Sub-Practices and produce a defined set of Work Products
5. In addition there are a defined set of Generic Goals
6. Each Generic Goal can be achieved by performing a defined set of Generic Practices

Basically and simply stated there are three stages in achieving the desired level, namely,

1. Gaps Analysis
• Between the CMMi model and the organizational process assets and
• Between the Organizational Process Assets and the Organizational Processes
2. Bridge the Gaps unearthed in the Gaps Analysis
3. Appraisal

 The most important aspect as can be seen is the Gap Analysis.