If we can not improve number of defects, cost and duration all at the same time then we are not applying CMMI in full. I believe the aim of CMMI is to help organizations to improve all the three parameters of quality at the same time. Otherwise it is traditional management where quality and cost are supposed to be competing. In TQM however the premise is to produce quality products faster and cheaper.

I am planning to submit 7 CRs to SEI to remind them that they need to consider the missing spirit and need to bring it back.

Here is the list of CRs:
CR1 : TQM in CMMI - Importance of statistical stability and quantitative improvement of processes: Producing better products faster and cheaper.

Done - CR2 : Maturity and Capability Levels should be redefined - This CR has been submitted to SEI - See - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SPIRITofCMMI/files

CR3 : Importance of not skipping levels should be emphasized in the CMMI - Levels and PAs should be required components.

CR4 : PAs should be adapted to processes by using alternative practices. PAs should not be presented as processes. Goals and Practices should be written in question format such as "how do you that" instead of "do that".

CR5 : Principles of Organizational Learning - as listed in The Fifth Discipline of Peter Senge - should be further emphasized in CMMI. Currently IPPD partially serves for that purpose.

CR6 : MLs and PAs should be required components. Today they are not. We should be able to relate practices to goals, goals to PAs, and PAs to Levels. Improvements needed in SCAMPI to provide LAs with better tools to distinguish real process improvements from the ones who are just focusing passing the exam. CMMI is not a set of best practices but defines a Path for process improvement.

Done - CR7 : LAs should be free from fear of losing their clients. They should be paid by SEI. This CR has been submitted to SEI - See - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SPIRITofCMMI/file