TeraQuest launches workforce improvement initiative aimed at improving the management of software professionals; Initiative is based on SEI's P-CMM.

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 23, 1996--TeraQuest Metrics Inc., a leading provider of consulting services for improving software development quality and productivity, has announced a new initiative based on the P-CMM(SM) (People Capability Maturity Model), an innovative model developed at Carnegie Mellon University's Software Engineering Institute (SEI).

TeraQuest's initiative, called the Workforce Improvement Initiative, provides clients with a comprehensive suite of services to improve people management programs, including P-CMM assessments, training, and executive consulting. TeraQuest is the first company to offer commercial services and assessments based on the P-CMM.

"TeraQuest's Workforce Improvement Initiative targets the top problem in the systems and software industry today -- attracting, developing, motivating, and retaining people," said Dr. Bill Curtis, TeraQuest co-founder and chief scientist.

"In order to compete, companies must have a systematic and continuous program for developing their workforce. We often hear business leaders say people are their greatest asset, but our research shows that few companies have a framework for investing in and developing that asset," Curtis continued. "The Workforce Improvement Initiative serves the needs of software-intensive organizations whose competitiveness depends on highly skilled people.

"There is substantial evidence that companies that pursue improvements in workforce practices consistently out-perform others in sales and earnings."

The P-CMM provides a framework for guiding the improvement of workforce practices using the same underlying principles as the widely used, and highly successful, Capability Maturity Model for Software (CMM(SM)) developed by the SEI. The CMM integrates total quality management and organizational development principles for continuously improving how an organization performs critical functions.

For instance, companies such as Motorola, Boeing and Texas Instruments have successfully applied the CMM and reported tripling their productivity and as much as a tenfold increase in software quality.

TeraQuest's Curtis, a Visiting Scientist at the SEI and the primary architect of the P-CMM, participated in the development of the CMM for Software and then proposed the application of CMM concepts to workforce development.

The P-CMM integrates a broad range of the most effective and innovative work force practices designed for increasing the skills and knowledge required to meet an organization's business objectives. The P-CMM defines an evolutionary improvement path from ad hoc, inconsistent workforce practices into a mature, disciplined approach to developing the competencies and motivation of the work force.

"The P-CMM is a brilliantly organized continuum of best practices that can be used to determine how best to accelerate the development of an organization's core competencies," stated George Black, a member of TeraQuest's board of advisors and formerly vice president of Human Resources at RCA.

"The highly visible, systematic review and improvement of workforce practices enhances a company's reputation as an 'employer of choice,' a major consideration when competing for the world's best talent," said Black.

"Industry research indicates that world class companies invest heavily in workforce development programs such as training and education, competency development, team-building, innovative compensation systems, and others. The P-CMM integrates these practices into an evolutionary program for increasing the core competencies of the organization and for ensuring these competencies are translated into business performance. The P-CMM is a smart weapon for companies that compete on knowledge," concluded Curtis.

TeraQuest's Software Workforce Improvement Initiative provides:

-- P-CMM training courses;

-- P-CMM Lead Assessor and Assessment Team Training courses

based on the SEI's P-CMM;

-- P-CMM assessment kits and questionnaires;

-- P-CMM Implementation Guide; and

-- A repository of descriptive data on P-CMM assessment results

and benefits.

TeraQuest's team of experienced consultants are available to assist company management to interpret data from P-CMM assessments and to guide the design, development and skillful implementation of improvement initiatives. P-CMM training becomes available during the fourth quarter of 1996, with assessment services and training available in 1997.

About TeraQuest Metrics

Since 1993, TeraQuest's mission has been to increase the capability of clients whose business success depends on developing and deploying software based systems, applications or products. TeraQuest helps clients gain a competitive advantage through improved management and development capability, and significantly reduced cost and risk. For more information, visit TeraQuest Metrics' Web site at http://www.teraquest.com. -0-

NOTE TO EDITORS: CMM, Capability Maturity Model and People-CMM are service marks of Carnegie Mellon University.

CONTACT: GTT Communications, Austin

Bill Stotesbery, 512/347-1012