Software Engineering Institute (SEI) is a federally funded research and development center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States.

[1] On November 14, 1984, the U.S. Department of Defense elected Carnegie Mellon University as the host site of the Software Engineering Institute.

SEI focuses on several technical directions: software engineering, cybersecurity, assurance, and DoD critical component capabilities.

Success in software engineering management practices helps organizations predict and control quality, schedule, cost, cycle time, and productivity.

The CMMI approach consists of models, appraisal methods, and training courses that have been proven to improve process performance.

SEI Members include small business owners, software and systems programmers, CEOs, directors, and managers from both Fortune 500 companies and government organizations.

Affiliates currently are working on projects with the SEI to identify, develop, and demonstrate improved software engineering practices.

The SEI publishes reports that offer new technical information about software engineering topics, whether theoretical or applied.

In addition, the SEI offers public courses, workshops, and conferences in process improvement, software architecture and product lines, and security.