CMMI
Process maturity framework with levels 0-5
AS9100
Global standard for aerospace quality management systems.
Quick Verdict
CMMI drives process maturity for predictable delivery across industries, while AS9100 enforces aerospace-specific quality for safety-critical products. Companies adopt CMMI for performance gains and benchmarking; AS9100 for supplier qualification and regulatory compliance.
CMMI
Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI)
Key Features
- Defines 6 maturity levels (0-5) for organizational progression
- 25 Practice Areas in 4 Category Areas for comprehensive coverage
- Generic practices institutionalize processes across all areas
- SCAMPI Class A/B/C appraisals enable benchmarking
- Staged/continuous representations support Agile/DevOps flexibility
AS9100
AS9100D: Quality Management Systems for Aviation, Space, Defense
Key Features
- Configuration management for product integrity
- Product safety processes across lifecycle
- Counterfeit parts prevention controls
- Operational risk management in Clause 8
- Enhanced supplier and sub-tier controls
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
CMMI Details
What It Is
Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) is a performance improvement framework for process institutionalization. Primarily for software, services, and acquisition, it uses maturity and capability levels to enhance predictability and quality via staged or continuous representations.
Key Components
- **4 Category AreasDoing, Managing, Enabling, Improving.
- 25 Practice Areas (v2.0) like Requirements Development, Configuration Management.
- Generic Goals/Practices for institutionalization (policy, planning, monitoring).
- SCAMPI appraisals (Class A/B/C) for certification.
Why Organizations Use It
- Reduces risks, rework, overruns; improves ROI (e.g., 34% cost reduction).
- Meets contract requirements in defense, regulated sectors.
- Builds stakeholder trust via benchmarked maturity.
- Enables Agile/DevOps integration for competitive edge.
Implementation Overview
- Phased: assessment, pilot, rollout, appraisal, sustainment.
- Applies to mid-large organizations across industries.
- Involves training, tooling, change management; targets 12-18 months to ML3.
AS9100 Details
What It Is
AS9100D (AS9100:2016) is the international quality management system (QMS) standard for aviation, space, and defense organizations. It builds on ISO 9001:2015 with over 100 aerospace-specific requirements, emphasizing a process-based, risk-based approach to ensure product safety, configuration integrity, and supply chain reliability.
Key Components
- 10-clause Annex SL structure covering context, leadership, planning, support, operation, evaluation, and improvement.
- Aerospace additions: configuration management (8.1.2), product safety (8.1.3), counterfeit parts prevention (8.1.4), operational risk, human factors, and enhanced supplier controls.
- Built on PDCA cycle; requires certification via accredited third-party audits (Stage 1/2, surveillance).
Why Organizations Use It
- **Market accessRequired by OEMs for supplier qualification via OASIS database.
- **Risk reductionPrevents quality escapes, safety incidents, and counterfeit risks.
- **Efficiency gainsImproves delivery, reduces rework, enhances competitiveness.
- Builds stakeholder trust through demonstrated integrity and compliance.
Implementation Overview
- Phased: gap analysis, process design, training, internal audits, certification (6-18 months).
- Applies to manufacturers, designers, MROs globally; suits all sizes with tailored scope.
Key Differences
| Aspect | CMMI | AS9100 |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Process improvement across development, services, acquisition | Quality management for aviation, space, defense products |
| Industry | Cross-industry, software, IT, defense globally | Aerospace, aviation, space, defense sectors globally |
| Nature | Voluntary process maturity framework with appraisals | Certification standard building on ISO 9001 |
| Testing | SCAMPI appraisals (A/B/C) by certified appraisers | Stage 1/2 audits, annual surveillance by CBs |
| Penalties | Loss of maturity rating, no legal penalties | Certification suspension, contract ineligibility |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about CMMI and AS9100
CMMI FAQ
AS9100 FAQ
You Might also be Interested in These Articles...
The CIS Controls v8.1 Evidence Pack: What Auditors Ask For (and How to Produce Proof Fast)
Fail CIS Controls v8.1 audits due to missing evidence? Get the blueprint: exact artifacts auditors want, repository structure, and automation from security tool
Top 10 Reasons CMMC Level 3 Certification Unlocks Competitive Edge for Primes Handling Critical DoD Programs
Discover top 10 reasons CMMC Level 3 certification unlocks competitive edge for DoD primes. Reduced APT risks, procurement prefs, NIST 800-172 compliance via v2
NIST CSF 2.0 Implementation Tiers Roadmap: Step-by-Step Guide from Partial to Adaptive Cybersecurity Maturity
Master NIST CSF 2.0 Implementation Tiers with a step-by-step roadmap. Assess your tier, build gap analyses, and advance from Partial (Tier 1) to Adaptive (Tier
Run Maturity Assessments with GRADUM
Transform your compliance journey with our AI-powered assessment platform
Assess your organization's maturity across multiple standards and regulations including ISO 27001, DORA, NIS2, NIST, GDPR, and hundreds more. Get actionable insights and track your progress with collaborative, AI-powered evaluations.
Check out these other Gradum.io Standards Comparison Pages
APPI vs ISO 17025
Compare APPI vs ISO 17025: Decode Japan's privacy law & lab accreditation standard. Gain strategies, pitfalls, frameworks for compliance mastery & business edge. (152)
ISO 22000 vs CSA
Discover ISO 22000 vs CSA: HLS alignment, dual PDCA cycles, PRP/CCP hazard controls & GFSI integration. Optimize FSMS compliance & efficiency—choose now!
DORA vs ISO 27017
Explore DORA vs ISO 27017: EU financial resilience regulation meets cloud security controls. Uncover ICT risk, testing, third-party differences for seamless compliance. Secure your ops today!