Which model categorizes organizations based on their software and product development processes?

The Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) is the correct answer because it is explicitly designed to improve processes within organizations, particularly in areas like software development and project management. CMMI provides a structured framework that organizations can use to evaluate and enhance their performance through defined process improvements. It categorizes organizations into different maturity levels, which reflect their processes' sophistication and effectiveness, helping them identify the areas that need improvement.

CMMI is widely recognized for fostering quality and performance in software engineering and product development, making it a critical tool for organizations looking to optimize their processes and deliver high-quality products. In contrast, the other choices serve different purposes: the Cloud Security Alliance Framework focuses on best practices for securing cloud computing, the Common Criteria is used for evaluating security properties of IT products, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) develops standards and guidelines related to information security but does not specifically categorize organizations by their software development processes.