The SEI’s capability maturity model for software (CMM) defines five distinct capability maturity levels, and it assigns certain key process areas (KPAs) that must be implemented before contingent practices can be brought under control to one of the capability maturity levels. However, the CMM as a whole also identifies (under the rubric of common features) the institution-wide activities that stabilize all key process areas. The latter include items such as measurement, training, documenting procedures, executive policies, senior management sponsorship, appropriate tools, practice verification, and continuous process improvement.