A Systematic Mapping-Based Support Instrument for Implementing the Ensuring Quality Capability Area in CMMI 3.0
: This paper investigates how the Ensuring Quality capability area of Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) 3.0 has been operationalized in academic research. A systematic mapping study grounded in the principles of Systematic Literature Review was conducted to identify and classify research contributions re-lated to Requirements Development and Management (RDM), Process Quality Assurance (PQA), Verification and Validation (VV), and Peer Review (PR). A total of 34 primary studies were selected and analyzed according to addressed practice areas, targeted maturity levels, organizational contexts, and types of empirical evidence. The results reveal a predominance of implementation-oriented approaches, particularly focused on intermediate maturity levels, with strong representation of RDM and PQA practices. From the synthesis of the extracted evidence, 120 structured findings were identified and organized into six integrative dimensions, including implementation steps, tools, methodologies, artifacts, validation models, and organizational roles. Based on this synthesis, a support instrument is proposed to consolidate dispersed research evidence and assist organizations in implementing Ensuring Quality practices within CMMI 3.0 environments..