Within a mature test process, "managed" in its broadest sense includes planning, staffing, directing, controlling, and organization of test components. In addition, a mature testing process is applied on an institution-wide basis, supported by management, and an integral component of the organizational culture.

TMM defines and utilizes fundamental concepts of managed, measured, monitored, and effective for testing process maturity. Within a mature test process, "managed" in its broadest sense includes planning, staffing, directing, controlling, and organization of test components. In addition, a mature testing process is applied on an institution-wide basis, supported by management, and an integral component of the organizational culture.

TMM software quality and management solutions integrates the similar principles promoted by leading research and development centers including the Software Engineer Institute (SEI) CMM (Capability Maturity Model). These organizations provide measured improvements that enforce the adoption of standard process and models, management practices, standard terminology and quality metrics with associated benchmarks.

"By adapting proven process models, organizations will dramatically improve their level of quality that must be associated with successful software application projects" said MST Lab CEO Linda S Miller. "TMM provides our customers with a comprehensive set of quality solutions, giving them a competitive edge to innovate more efficiently, reduce time to market, satisfy customers needs and enable their development staff to focus on their core missions."

In August 2002, Capital One, Richmond Virginia was awarded the first TMM Level 5 Certification by MST Lab, an independent TMM assessor. Prior to Capital One’s onsite assessment, questionnaires were provided and completed by five members of Capital One test team. The onsite assessment consisted of individual interviews of TMM implementation participants, attending software team meetings and examination of TMM documents and reports. The objective of the assessment was to determine the TMM maturity level based on goals and sub goals within each five levels of the TMM-AM (assessment model).

TMM Model

This five level model enables organizations to migrate their immature QA and software test teams into a mature proven process. The model defines team members’ activities, tasks and responsibilities (ATR) within each level of maturity. Standard documents are managed, controlled, resources are identified anddata is collected for measurement and metrics utilizing automated tools.

Synopsis of the TMM

1) Initial -The software acquisition process is characterized as ad hoc, and occasionally even chaotic. Few processes are defined and success depends on individual effort. For an organization to mature beyond the initial level, it must install basic management and test controls to instill self-discipline.

2) Repeatable -Basic software test goals and subgoals are developed and processes are established to plan all aspects of software testing including, management of software requirements, tracking project and team performance, project cost, schedules and successful transition of software. Management and test teams react to circumstances as they arise. The necessary process discipline is in place to repeat successes on all future projects. For an organization to mature beyond the level of self-discipline, it must use well-defined processes as a foundation for improvement.

3) Defined -The organization’s software and test process is documented, standardized, approved and supported. Risk management is integrated into all aspects and the organization provides training for each member of test team. For an organization to mature beyond the level of defined processes, it must base decisions on quantitative measures of its processes and products so that objectivity can be attained.

4) Quantitative -Detailed measures of the software processes and products are defined and documented. The software processes, products, and services are quantitatively and qualitatively understood and controlled.

5) Optimizing -Continuous process improvement is empowered by feedback based on the process and innovative ideas and technologies. Ultimately an organization recognizes that continual improvement and change is necessary to remain compliant.

TMM Maturity Levels

As organizations establish and improve their software quality processes, they progress through five levels of maturity. Each level provides a layer in the foundation for continuous process improvement this is comprised of goals and sub-goals that stabilizes components of the software quality and testing process. Achieving each level of the maturity model institutionalizes a unique component within the process, resulting in a quality process throughout the organization.

Level I-Initial (Not Applicable)
Level II-Phase Definition
 Develop testing and debugging goals
 Initiate test planning process
 Institutionalize basic test techniques and methods
Level III-Integration
 Establish software test organization
 Technical training program
 Integrate testing process throughout software development life-cycle
 Initiate risk management process
 Control and monitor test process
Level IV-Management and Measurement
 Establish organization-wide review programs
 Establish test measurement program
 Software quality evaluation
Level V – Optimization/Defect Prevention and Quality Control
 Application of processing data for defect prevention
 Quality Control
 Test Process Optimization

TMM-AM Components
1. Questionnaire
     Instructions
     Respondents background
     Organization background
     Maturity goals and sub goals related to the following topics.

1 Test Tools
2 Test methods/trends
3 Training
4 Support
5 Resources
6 Risks
7 Metrics

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Comments (8)

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vikram Bilgikar said:

	... We have created some questionaire sheet for TMM and also seeking more information on accessing the TMM framwwork , i would appreciate if you can provide us the information. mail vikram.bilgikar@gmail.com
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May 16, 2007
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Alok Purohit said:

	... My id is Purohit.alok@gmail.com
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December 13, 2006
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Alok Purohit said:

... Hi, I am alok working for Independent Validation service group in one of the Leading software company in India. I would like to kno about the comanies that have adopted this model and what are the benefits of adopting this model over CMM. As using this may require additiional investment. How can we apply for A tmm certificvation? Wheteher a project at CMm level 5 is by default at TMm level 5. If no why ? what are the differences. I badly need answers to all the above queries..looking for enthusiastic reply

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December 13, 2006
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Andrea Moreland said:

	... Hi, I am interested in finding more about TMM, specifically how many companies use it and what the realized benefits have been. If you have case examples (I've already got the one from Marks & Spencer) that would be fantastic. Thanks, Andrea Moreland amoreland@executiveboard.com
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December 06, 2006
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Pia Alsing said:

	... Hi. We (ALOC in Denmark) are looking for the TMM-AM questionnaire and cannot find it anywhere. Where could we purchase it? Thanks in advance. Best regards Pia Alsing Test and documentation coordinator ALOC A/S Phone +45 63136100 Direct +45 63136123 Mail piaa@aloc.dk Web www.aloc.com
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December 04, 2006
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Mónica Pedraza said:

	... Hello, I need to know what and how can we do to get a TMM Certification, we are a software company, and we're interested in it, could you get me this information? Thank you very much. my email is: mjpo68@hotmail.com
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October 24, 2006
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Mónica Pedraza said:

	... Hi, I would like knowing, how and what need to do an Company to apply for TMM Certification, Could you get me this information? Thanks my email is: mjpo68@hotmail.com
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October 24, 2006
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vikram bilgikar said:

How to apply for TMM certification from Organization perspcetive. Hi, My name is vikram , i am working for Hexaware Technologies INc. in India . I would like to know how we as an organization can apply for TMM certification. Please let me know the accessing procedure. I also wanted to know how many companies in the world are TMM certified including INDIA. I would appreciate if you can provoide me the information. Thanks & Regards Vikram Bilgikar

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September 13, 2006
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