Virtual CMMI® Training
Foundations of Capability
with Dragons
+ Building Development Excellence
+ Building Service Excellence
March 11-15, 2024
Enter a Magical World
...where vikings rock the CMMI® in the workplace, pirates use it to be (measurably) nicer, and aliens wield it to plan their next invasion.
Plus, did someone say dragons?
​
Seriously?
Yes, seriously.* Our industry-leading Foundations of Capability class plunges you into a sci-fi fantasy world of vikings, aliens, pirates, dinosaurs, wizards, and more. You'll learn the NEW CMMI V3 by tackling mini-scenarios as you journey through the magical world of Fantastica.​
​
"Too fun," you say? Well, then jump through a portal into the real world and apply concepts to something you might consider more practical. That's right, we provide non-fantasy options for the utter pragmatists.**
​
Hundreds of AI-generated images, over a dozen video snippets, and fully-licensed music combine to ensure that ​this class is like no other. You'll stay wide awake and have so much fun that you'll learn much more effectively than in those soulless death-by-PowerPoint classes you're used to.***
Still doubting it? Take a look at these 25 sample slides (low resolution). Then scroll down to the bottom of this page and enroll soon. Our Foundations of Capability classes always sell out.
​
* And yes, these are actual CMMI Institute-certified classes -- with our unique touches.
** Data suggests that less than 1/3 of you will use the "real world" options, though.
*** Heck, we don't even use PowerPoint!
“I love deadlines. I love the whooshing noise they make as they go by."
- Douglas Adams, author of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
InterNationally recognized Instructor
Our energizing instructor Wild Bill Smith has taught certified CMMI courses to more students than anyone else in the world -- over 400 classes delivered to more than 5000 people!


"The instructor's high energy made it engaging and it was easy to participate." - June 2020 virtual class attendee


Wild Bill has won multiple industry awards, and has trained a dazzling array of corporate and government clients in CMMI.
Strange but true: Wild Bill was featured in the 2016 book Tickers, selected as the Software Engineering Institute's 2010 Outstanding Member Representative, and voted Longest Legs (Male) in Shenango High School's Class of '79.
Exclusive Practice Exams
Graduate from our Foundations of Capability class, and you'll snag free access to two proprietary, online practice Certified CMMI Associate exams -- available only to our students.
​
(Have a minute? Try this 5-question sample exam.*)​
​
"Your practice tests were a big help, not just the topics/questions included (and explanations of where to find the answer), but also to help get more comfortable navigating the model viewer and PDF files." - September 2020 virtual class attendee
​
* Our real practice exams also provide guidance on where to find the answers in the online Model Viewer. They're 60 questions each, just like the actual CMMI Associate exam.
“This is some rescue! You came in here, but you didn't have a plan for getting out?"
- Princess Leia, Star Wars - A New Hope
Alumni Club
All graduates of our certified CMMI classes are invited to join our online Alumni Club, to post questions and leverage our online resources.
Resources include: "Certified CMMI Associate Exam Tips" (a whopping 35), "CMMI V3 Crosswords" (to prep for the exam or simply to while away those lonely nights*), and "Where to Find Information on Appraisals" (to ease that existential dread).
​
* Topics include Model Structure, Appraisals, Key Terminology, Core Practice Areas, Development, Services, Agile CMMI, Maturity and Capability Levels, and Key Changes from V2.
Our Foundations of Capability class - 98% original content. Our Certified CMMI Instructor - 100% original content.
Bonus Binders
We provide extra stuff -- above and beyond what's included in the "standard" class -- to ease your CMMI journey:
-
Our home-grown CMMI Quick Reference Guide conveniently lists every practice in the model (Foundations of Capability and Building Organizational Capability only, 37 pp.).
-
Our CMMI Cheat Sheets provide you with useful, at-a-glance charts to liven up any dinner party (6 pp.).
-
We even give you a CMMI Adoption Guidance document describing how to turn CMMI from fantasy into reality (published by the CMMI Institute, 76 pp.).
"It does not do to leave a live dragon out of your calculations, if you live near him."
- Gandalf, from The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkein
Which Classes ARE FOR YOU?
First, check out this nifty CMMI V3 Training Pathways guide for a detailed comparison of your options -- especially if you're a current CMMI Associate. Then...
NEW! Building Organizational Capability. This comprehensive four-day course covers the same ground as Foundations (below), but adds on all eight domains: Development, Services, Suppliers, Virtual, Security, Safety, People, and Data. You'll need this if your CMMI initiative extends beyond Development and Services.
​
Foundations of Capability. The classic two-day intro course. Covers basic concepts, model architecture, appraisals, and the 17 core Practice Areas (PAs) -- but none of the domain PAs. Most students follow this course up with one or both Building Excellence classes, to cover the DEV and/or SVC domains. (If you need to know about any of the other six domains, you should take Building Organizational Capability instead.)
​
Building Development Excellence. A one-day course for anyone heavily involved in a CMMI Development initiative; required for CMMI-DEV appraisal team members (ATMs). Foundations of Capability is a prerequisite. Covers content specific to CMMI-DEV and provides guidance on using CMMI in a solution development environment.
​
Building Service Excellence. A one-day class for people deeply involved in a CMMI Services program; required for CMMI-SVC ATMs. Foundations of Capability is a prerequisite. Introduces content specific to CMMI-SVC and gives guidance on using CMMI in a service environment.
Our classes sell out | Only 15 per class | No exceptions no whining | There's no crying in CMMI | Enroll today
WheN
Mar 11-13, 2024
3 short days
11 am - 5 pm ET
prerequisite to courses below
​
Mar 14, 2024
8:30 - 5 pm ET
Building Development Excellence
​
Mar 15, 2024
8:30 am - 5 pm ET
We've never canceled a class due to low enrollment. (Unlike those other instructors!)
WheRE
Anywhere with a reliable internet connection
Access to the Zoom teleconferencing platform is required. Need Zoom help? Download our Zoom Cheat Sheet and Wild Bill's Zoom Guidelines for My CMMI Classes.
MAGICAL bonuses
Exclusive content provided with each class:
​​
-
Electronic binders of our unique slides and exercises. (See examples.)
-
Alumni Club membership
With our Foundations of Capability you'll also receive:
-
Online access to at least two 60-question practice CMMI Associate Exams
-
Our nifty proprietary guidance documents: CMMI Cheat Sheets, CMMI Quick Reference Guide
​ -
CMMI Adoption Guidance (76 pp.) to use as a roadmap for your improvement journey.
What's Included
You'll need:
-
A quiet place
-
Robust internet access
-
A computer with webcam and microphone.
Your system must meet Zoom requirements.
We give you:
-
CMMI Online Model Viewer access for 30 days*
-
With Foundations of Capability: CMMI Associate exam credit for 30 days**
-
Electronic access to all standard ISACA slides & exercises***
-
Certificate (on completion) and entry into the
ISACA
database
About the Online Model Viewer and CMMI Associate Exam
​
* CMMI is available online, via subscription only. Your tuition includes access to the CMMI online Model Viewer for 30 days. Access typically begins about 72 hours before class. Once you gain access, download a pdf of the model to use during class in case of Model Viewer access issues.
** Although passing the Certified CMMI Associate exam is not necessary to complete the course, it is required to serve on a CMMI appraisal team. Your Foundations of Capability tuition includes a credit to take this online exam within 30 days of the first day of class.
​
*** We won't use the standard slides and exercises during class, although they have "informed" our delivery.
Tuition and Enrollment
Are seats available? Enrollment ends at 5 pm ET on the Wednesday of the week before class, or when class is full. If no seats are available, you'll find out when you try to enroll.
​
Once registered, watch your email carefully 7-10 days before class. Even check your Junk/Spam folder! You'll receive one message from us, giving you links to password-protected webpages for your classes. Each page provides you with (1) pre-class instructions, (2) the Zoom link, (3) course material for downloading, and (4) bonus files or links. You'll also receive one email from ISACA for each class; please take actions requested in those messages promptly to gain online Model Viewer access.
​
Invest the time needed to prepare. Allow at least 60 minutes the week before class to download material and gain access to your ISACA account. If you can't attend because you haven't followed pre-class guidance, we won't issue you a refund.
​
Consider an additional screen or printing key documents. In addition to viewing slides and a talking head in Zoom, you'll sometimes need to access the CMMI -- which is also online. So, consider an additional screen or at least a large one.
CMMI Brainiac Bundle
Four or more days of CMMI! (But in some cases, the NEW Building Organizational Capability may offer more bang-for-the-buck. See our CMMI V3 Training Pathways guidance.)
Courses
Location
Tuition
3 or more
Foundations of Capability - 3 short days
3/11-13 | 11am-5pm ET
Building DEV Excellence | 3/14 | 8:30am-5pm ET
Building SVC Excellence | 3/15 | 8:30am-5pm ET
Other dates are also selectable during enrollment.
Virtual
$2400
$2300
CMMI Development Package
Required for CMMI-DEV appraisal team members, recommended for anyone else heavily involved.
Courses
Location
Tuition
3 or more
Foundations of Capability - 3 short days
3/11-13 | 11am-5pm ET
Building DEV Excellence | 3/14 | 8:30am-5pm ET
​
Other dates are also selectable during enrollment.
Virtual
$1800
$1725
CMMI Services Package
Required for CMMI-SVC appraisal team members, recommended for anyone else heavily involved.
Courses
Location
Tuition
3 or more
Foundations of Capability - 3 short days
3/11-13 | 11am-5pm ET
Building SVC Excellence | 3/14 | 8:30am-5pm ET
​
Other dates are also selectable during enrollment.
Virtual
$1800
$1725
Foundations of Capability
No prerequisites. But wait! If you'd like to qualify for a CMMI appraisal team, you'll also need one or both Building Excellence classes. Check out the packages above.
Courses
Location
Tuition
3 or more
Foundations of Capability - 3 short days
3/11-13 | 11am-5pm ET
Other dates are also selectable during enrollment.
Virtual
$1300
$1225
 Brian Happily Flings A Monkey |  Susan Rocks Our Hawaiian Shirt Day |  The Infamous "Charlie Sheen" Class |
|---|---|---|
 Elizabeth And Her New Prize |  Example Class Slide |  Method Masterminds: A Winning Team! |
 Bill Gets A CMMI Institute Surprise |  Yoda: May the CMMI Be With You |  Example Special Presentation |
 Monkeys Ride A Killer Bunny |