HERNDON, Va., Jan. 9, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- A unit of Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) Information Technology (IT) sector has reached the Software Engineering Institute's (SEI) Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI)* system engineering/software engineering level 5 rating.
Northrop Grumman IT's Defense Enterprise Solutions unit obtained the CMMI level 5 rating by enabling efficient integration of the company's system and software engineering processes as well as streamlining core and common processes across multiple programs. Use of these processes has directly contributed to meeting business objectives.
"This achievement puts Northrop Grumman in elite company worldwide," said Herb Anderson, president, Northrop Grumman IT. "We will work closely with our customers to rapidly push these mature processes out to every government IT program and project where they can make a difference."
Northrop Grumman IT processes control cost, schedule and quality performance with quantitative indicators, simultaneously ensuring timely corrective action if required. The result is predictable engineering milestones and customer satisfaction. Northrop Grumman IT has applied the CMMI common framework to measurably improve the company's products and services.
CMMI level 5 is the highest possible rating, further validating the company's number one ranking as a federal systems integrator according to Eagle Eye Publishing. CMMI is the recognized standard developed by a coalition of industry, government and the SEI to objectively assess the full range of an organization's engineering capability.
SEI is a federally funded research and development center sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense and operated by Carnegie Mellon University. There are five levels of CMMI maturity, with the highest maturity level, level 5, indicating the lowest risk because of the better practices employed by the organization.
Northrop Grumman IT engineering programs that participated in the assessment include Automated Identification Technology; the Inventory Tracking System; Joint Engineering Data Management Information and Control System; and the Joint Primary Aircrew Training Systems Training Integrated Management System, among several others. The appraisal was conducted in accordance with the industry standard CMMI appraisal method for process improvement and led by an independent authorized and licensed lead evaluator from Integrated Systems Diagnostics, Inc.
Northrop Grumman Information Technology is a premier provider of advanced IT solutions, engineering and business services for government and commercial clients. Headquartered in Herndon, the company's expertise spans such areas as information systems integration; command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR); enterprise hardware and software solutions; training and simulation; base and range support; signals intelligence; space systems; health informatics; and specialized scientific, engineering and technical services.
* Capability Maturity Model, CMM, and CMMI are registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office by Carnegie Mellon University.