About Us

StepUp Solutions®, Inc. is a CMMI Institute Licensed Partner that supports product development organizations in adopting industry best practices in order to improve the performance of their key capabilities. Our approach is based on the Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI®), which was developed by the CMMI Institute, as well as other industry-proven models (e.g., INCOSE, ISO, SPICE). Our team has over 25 years of hands-on experience in guiding organizations to plan, develop, and implement a practical approach to performance improvement. Our primary goal is to support management, programs, and engineering process groups in improving their program performance (cost, schedule) and producing higher-quality products. We are dedicated to providing outstanding service to all types and sizes of organizations, at all stages of process maturity. Our client base is largely comprised of repeat customers who frequently refer us to their partners and suppliers. Diane McDonald, principal of StepUp Solutions, is an experienced CMMI Institute Certified Instructor and prior Certified Lead Appraiser. She has supported many large and small companies in defining, improving, and institutionalizing business and product development processes related to the following categories:
  • Engineering (Systems and Software Engineering)
  • Project Management (planning, monitoring & control, risk management)
  • Organizational Process and Performance Improvement (e.g., Engineering Process Group, Training, Measurement & Analysis)
  • Support Functions (e.g., Configuration Management, Quality Assurance)

  • Click on the Credentials button to view Diane's resume, including prior security clearance information.
  • The LinkedIn button also provides example endorsements of Diane's work.
  • StepUp Solutions is certified with the Small Business Administration (SBA) as a woman-owned small business (WOSB).
  • Our company is also registered in the U.S. government's System for Award Management (SAM) database.
>> Credentials

Credentials - Resume of Diane L. McDonald

Key RolesPrincipal of StepUp Solutions, Inc. (a CMMI Institute Licensed Partner), has over 25 years of systems and software engineering, project management, and performance improvement experience at commercial and defense companies. She has extensive practical experience using the CMMI Institute's performance improvement models, as well as other industry best practices, to drive productivity and ultimately help companies achieve high performance.

Experience



Principal, Systems/Software Engineering Process Specialist



April 1999 - Present, StepUp Solutions, Inc., Los Gatos and El Dorado Hills, CA

  • Guided organizations in implementing effective change management strategies and adopting industry best practices, such as the CMMI, ISO, Six Sigma, Agile, SPICE, and ITIL.
  • As a CMMI Institute Certified Instructor, provided training in various CMMI for Development courses, e.g., Foundations of Capability, Building Development Excellence.
  • Developed and taught customer-tailored courses in product development, project management, organizational performance improvement, and support functions (e.g., Quality Assurance, Configuration Management).
  • Provided consultation in defining, improving, and institutionalizing cost-effective processes, such as product development, organizational improvement (e.g., EPG), project management, and support functions. Authored CMMI-consistent processes at various companies, including high-maturity (Levels 4–5) processes.
  • Supported proposals (RFPs) requiring an official CMMI Maturity Level.
  • As a CMMI Institute Certified Lead Appraiser, conducted appraisals using various appraisal methods, e.g., Benchmark, Standard CMMI Appraisal Method for Performance Improvement (SCAMPI A). This included appraisals in classified environments requiring special clearances.
  • Led less formal, cost-effective gap analyses using the CMMI and other models (e.g., ISO, SPICE, Automotive SPICE). Supported organizations and programs in successfully preparing for appraisals, e.g., Practice Implementation Indicator Description (PIID) guidance and use of appraisal tools (e.g., Appraisal Wizard).
  • As a Software Engineering Institute (SEI) Authorized Instructor, provided training in their Introduction to Software CMM courses.Conducted assessments using the SEI's Software CMM-Based Appraisal for Internal Performance Improvement (CBA IPI) method.

Engineering Manager and Process Specialist



1987 - March 1999, GTE Government Systems, Electronic Systems Division, Mountain View, CA - Now General Dynamics AIS

  • As Technical Lead of the Engineering Process Group, defined and improved the division's (7 geographical sites) standard systems/software processes. Guided projects in day-to-day use of these processes. Led several efforts that resulted in successfully achieving SEI Level 3+ maturity ratings.
  • Supported the definition and improvement of the division's ISO 9001 Quality Management System, which included integrated systems engineering, software engineering, hardware engineering, and program management processes.
  • Supported proposals and customer evaluations requiring SEI maturity level ratings.
  • Conducted software process assessments across GTE Corporation using the SEI's CBA IPI and earlier Software Process Assessment (SPA) methods.
  • Established and coordinated the division's formal software training program.
  • Taught the SEI's Introduction to the CMM course, as well as a variety of engineering and project management courses.

Software Technical Lead



GTE Automatic Electric, Northlake, IL



Accreditations

  • CMMI Institute Licensed Instructor of various CMMI-DEV courses
  • CMMI Institute Licensed SCAMPI Lead Appraiser
  • SEI High Maturity with Statics Course
  • SEI-Authorized Instructor of Introduction to Software CMM courses
  • SEI-Authorized CBA IPI Lead Assessor
  • SEI-Authoirzed CMM Course Observer for SW-CMM Course Candidate Instructors
  • ISO 9001 Internal Auditor

Publications & Patents

  • "A Tailorable Software Process Mini-Assessment Method," SEI SEPG Conference, Atlanta, GA
  • "Structured for Success: A Software Engineering Process Group Model," SEI SEPG Conference, Atlanta, GA
  • U.S. Patent for a Software Algorithm Developed as Part of a GTE Telecommunications System

Professional Memberships & Awards

  • CMMI (SEI) Partner Recognition Awards
  • Certified Woman-Owner Small Business (WOSB) with the Small Business Administration
  • Involvement in various local SPIN Groups, INCOSE, ASQ, and the Silicon Valley Agile Leadership Network

Prior experience



Systems/Software Engineering Manager



GTE Communications Systems, Phoenix, AZ

  • Developed and maintained real-time application software for digital and analog switching systems.
  • Managed the development and maintenance of large-scale digital switching systems for domestic and international customers. This included managing a Lockheed-style "Skunkworks" team to meet accelerated program milestones.
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