Boeing

The Boeing [NYSE:BA] Anaheim, Calif., facility reached another unprecedented level of achievement recently, reaching capability maturity level 5, the highest possible rating established by the nationally recognized Software Engineering Institute.

The appraisal, known as Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI), is an industry-recognized framework providing insight to the ability of a company to execute on proposed projects, thereby reducing risk and required oversight on behalf of the customer.

The Anaheim site achieved the top-level rating in all four CMMI model areas: systems engineering, software engineering, integrated product and process development and supplier selection management process. The appraisal, conducted by the Software Productivity Consortium, evaluated an array of critical programs located at the site. Compliance required validation of generic and specific goals/practices utilized by the programs. Boeing Integrated Defense Systems has now earned three CMMI level 5 ratings. Fewer than 40 companies worldwide have achieved CMMI Level 5, while less than 10 companies worldwide have achieved the rating in all four disciplines supported in the CMMI model.

"Achieving Level 5 across the four disciplines of the CMMI model gives our customers confidence that we can deliver on our commitments and will increase our competitive position," said Jacob R. Volkert, vice president, Battle Management/ Command, Control, & Communications & Strategic Systems (BMC3 & SS), for Boeing. "For Anaheim, this achievement is significant because the site is host to multiple business units within IDS and serves a wide variety of customers."

Boeing employs more than 3,800 people in Anaheim , making it the largest employer in the city, after Disneyland . The site is also responsible for the technological development and program execution of network centric communications, integrated missile defense solutions for all phases of ballistic missile threats and Air & Missile Defense Systems including PAC-3 and Sea-based programs. Additionally, the site is host to the Strategic Architecture team, which is responsible for the development of a Boeing-wide strategic communication and information architecture and also operates the Boeing Integration Center (BIC), Boeing's state of the art visualization center where customers and others come to learn about network-centric operations.

"This accomplishment clearly demonstrates to our customers our commitment to CMMI and process improvement across our entire IDS organization," said Oliver Watson, director of Processes, Tools and Metrics at Boeing Anaheim.