• Investment World
• eWorld
• Brand Line
• Mentor
• Life
• Brand Quest
• The New Manager

Stocks

• Quotes
• SE Diary
• Scoreboard
• Open-End Mutual Fund

Cross Currency

• Rates
  
  

Shipping

• Ports
  
  

Archives

• Yesterday
• Datewise
• Resources
• In Focus
• In Depth

Group Sites

• The Hindu
• The Hindu ePaper
• Business Line
• Business Line ePaper
• Sportstar
• Frontline
• The Hindu eBooks
• The Hindu Images

R. Shekar

The Software Engineering Institute (SEI) at Pittsburg lays down the standards of software management development systems through a maturity level rating. The global tally of a maturity level of 5, the highest, rests with Indian IT companies.

Any organisation claiming to be a mature SW developer, should file an application confirming conformity with the stringent standards and disciplines prescribed by SEI. Upon explicit invitation from IT companies, a Lead Assessors (accredited and qualified by SEI) will be deputed at periodic intervals to validate the claims. A maturity level rating is conferred on the SW supplier depending on the extent to which such practices may have been institutionalised.

One such Lead Assessor commented insightfully: “There is a mistaken belief across Indian organisations that technical sophistication alone defines the maturity. In reality, a continuous re-examination of assumptions underlying the conduct of business, that demands a much higher order of maturity, is often overlooked.” Consequently, at Maturity Level 5, a business is expected to demonstrate a ‘fail-safe’ capability warding off ‘nasty surprises’ from hitting the business every once in a while!”

Such a robust maturity in conduct is very human and served by a culture of chemistry between peers that is ingrained into the system. It calls for balancing the discomforts of reaching-out to untested realities on the one hand (X-axis) and receptivity to unconventional approaches (Y axis) to act on such discoveries on the other.

Astute examiners listen to the ‘soft data’ of the chemistry of relationship punctuating change management to pronounce the verdict on maturity levels.

Coaching defines a relationship of mutual consent to discover unexplored possibilities and fuelled by a spiritual quest to realise the fullest potential from the ‘essence of their togetherness’.

Problem solving is directed at unearthing ‘new realities’ in a reactive context. The search for solutions may be directed at recovering from an unacceptable predicament through conscious reflection and poignant introspection.

Path finding encourages a guarded and considerate exploration of meaning or solutions towards acceptable alternatives within the confines of the prevailing framework.

Blindfold is aimed at preserving the status quo preferring to continue to look and feel good and with a cultivated insensitivity to the price being paid needlessly.

Much more than the mere mute plaques of certification of maturity levels adorning the walls, ‘real’ maturity radiates through the interpersonal chemistry at daily work.

More Stories on : Management | Standards & Benchmarks | The Fourth Quadrant

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
Suggestions and Ideas

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu Business Line. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu Business Line