How is a tendency or practice that is challenging to relinquish characterized?

A tendency or practice that is challenging to relinquish is best characterized as a habit. In the context of CMMI and organizational development, habits represent behaviors or actions that are consistently repeated over time, to the point where they become second nature. These are often ingrained practices within an organization, making them difficult to change or abandon.

Habits arise from repetition and are typically formed as individuals or teams engage in certain behaviors that yield perceived benefits or rewards. Because habits are deeply embedded in an individual's or organization’s daily routines, they often require intentional effort to modify or eliminate. Recognizing this aspect of habits is critical when implementing process improvements or cultural changes within an organization as part of CMMI initiatives.

While routines and patterns might also denote established behaviors, they do not capture the emotional and psychological resistance that often accompanies a habit. Cultural norms, on the other hand, refer more broadly to the behaviors and beliefs shared within a community or organization and may not specifically highlight an individual practice that is difficult to change. Therefore, defining this challenging tendency as a habit provides an accurate representation of its sticky nature in both personal and organizational contexts.