EUROCONTROL’s Network Technical Systems division (NTS) provides IT services for the Network Manager (NM) operations under the regulatory framework decided by the European Commission. In this respect, NTS has embarked on a digital transformation journey that requires strong innovation and change in technologies, processes (e.g. continuous delivery), and architecture principles (e.g. micro services).

Following an in-depth appraisal which took place in May 2017, the CMMI Institute has rated NM’s NTS division at Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) Maturity Level 3 for its Development and Service activities. This reflects NM’s commitment to continuous improvement, with a range of ongoing technical and process improvement programmes that have confirmed our industry-grade level of maturity.

NTS, which is responsible for delivering mission and safety-critical IT services and technical operational support, was successfully appraised in two constellations of the CMMI model:

• CMMI for Development (CMMI-DEV 1.3): this area addresses Product and Service Development

• CMMI for Services (CMMI-SVC 1.3): this area addresses Service Delivery and Service Management

Besides its main objectives of improving quality, predictability and overall efficiency, obtaining a positive CMMI appraisal was one of NM’s key priorities for 2017: CMMI is not only the foundation for its certified ISO quality management system, but it also forms part of the SSAS (Software Safety Assurance System) and underpins its compliance with EASA Implementing Rule EC 482/2008.

Furthermore, in order to better reflect the latest improvements undertaken in the technical service provision to EUROCONTROL’s Network Manager Directorate (NMD), and considering the deployment of its Service Management Roadmap including the Technical Service Catalogue and associated Service Agreements (i.e. SLA, OLA, Underpinning Contracts), NTS decided to be appraised on its Service constellation, in replacement of its Acquisition constellation against which the Agency was successfully appraised in 2014.