A capability level is a well-defined evolutionary plateau describing the organization's capability relative to a process area. A capability level consists of related SPECIFIC and generic practices for a process area that can improve the organization's processes associated with that process area. Each level is a layer in the FOUNDATION for continuous process improvement.

Thus, capability levels are cumulative, i.e., a higher capability level includes the ATTRIBUTES of the lower levels.

In CMMI models with a continuous representation, there are six capability levels DESIGNATED by the numbers 0 through 5.

• 0 - Incomplete.
• 1 - Performed.
• 2 - Managed.
• 3 - Defined.
• 4 - Quantitatively Managed.
• 5 - Optimizing.

A capability level is a well-defined evolutionary plateau describing the organization's capability relative to a process area. A capability level consists of related specific and generic practices for a process area that can improve the organization's processes associated with that process area. Each level is a layer in the foundation for continuous process improvement.

Thus, capability levels are cumulative, i.e., a higher capability level includes the attributes of the lower levels.

In CMMI models with a continuous representation, there are six capability levels designated by the numbers 0 through 5.