ITEE Innovation Expo 2008 : Project Details

Leveraging Capability Maturity Model Integration within the Automation Industry

Earthpac Limited (Earthpac), founded in 2007 out of Man Machine Pty Ltd, an established robotic automation company, utilises state of the art robotic technology to fully automate variety packaging lines in the fast moving consumer goods industry. Due to the infancy of the organisation, the development and implementation of a process improvement strategy for Earthpac was seen as a necessary stepping-stone to improved engineering and business practices. Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) is a proven process improvement framework developed by organisations around the world seeking a generic, robust methodology for applying process improvement to industries that span traditional organisational boundaries. As a result of observed weaknesses in the operational structure of the organisation, the application of CMMI principles was fundamental to the creation of a viable business model to ensure the long-term sustainability of Earthpac. Earthpac has been used as a case study for the application of CMMI in the robotic automation industry. The use of the CMMI framework has enabled the development and application of several organisational policies within Earthpac that have been used to streamline procedural, engineering, and business activities. This report outlines the purpose of generic and specific goals within the continuous representation of the CMMI framework and the role they play in the robotic automation environment. CMMI has been adapted and applied to the organisational and engineering policies and procedures at Earthpac. This implementation of CMMI achieves capability level 1 in applicable process areas and endeavours to direct Earthpac, as an organisation, to capability level 5.