REDONDO BEACH, Calif., Aug. 28, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) Space Technology sector has been recertified as meeting Level 5 standards for software development set by the Software Engineering Institute (SEI) for Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI(r)), the highest possible rating for benchmarking commercial and defense industry best practices for management and engineering.
"This recertification achieved by the Space Technology sector underscores our commitment to process improvement," said Alexis Livanos, president of Northrop Grumman Space Technology. "We are completely dedicated to providing professional and world-class customer service by consistently setting new benchmarks in software development."
Livanos noted the recertification highlights additional progress made since Space Technology first achieved a CMMI Level 5 status two years ago. "Our team focused on a further successful push to be a continuous learning and improving organization," he added.
The recertification by the lead assessor, Norausky Process Solutions, Inc., examined quality processes and standards across the sector, including its programs, engineering, and production and supply chain organizations, and the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System program.
According to Vincent K. Warren, software specialist with the Defense Contract Management Agency, "The Northrop Grumman Space Technology sector has once again demonstrated its ability to utilize the CMMI processes for software as a leverage point for sustained organizational improvement. This type of consistent process improvement ensures that the sector maintains the highest maturity level in its software organization and promotes customer confidence."
Company wide, Northrop Grumman has achieved 25 CMMI(r) Level 5 ratings, more than any other defense or commercial company to date. This rating assures Northrop Grumman customers that the company is providing improved quality, greater productivity, and predictable program performance.
The Software Engineering Institute is a federally funded research and development center sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense through the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics. The Institute's core purpose is to help others make measured improvements in their software engineering capabilities.
The CMMI standard was developed by a coalition of industry, government and the Software Engineering Institute to objectively assess the full range of an organization's software and systems engineering, program management and organizational management capabilities. There are five levels of CMMI maturity, each a layer in the foundation for ongoing process improvement, designated by the numbers one through five with five being the highest. Higher maturity levels signify lower risks to successful program execution.
Northrop Grumman is a global defense company headquartered in Los Angeles, Calif. Northrop Grumman provides technologically advanced, innovative products, services and solutions in systems integration, defense electronics, information technology, advanced aircraft, shipbuilding and space technology. With more than 120,000 employees, and operations in all 50 states and 25 countries, Northrop Grumman serves U.S. and international military, government and commercial customers.