There is no company or organization that does not constantly seek to improve its processes to increase results. No matter if the need is based on increasing efficiency, ordering processes, developing organizational culture or adopting a better way of working, maturity models will always be an ally in achieving success.
In trying to change for the better, they invest money, time and other resources. However, the efficiency of this change process can be very low if it is not carried out in an orderly manner. It is necessary to be very clear about the goal to be achieved and where we are today with respect to the goal, which must be determined by measuring.
What is a maturity model?
A maturity model is a continuous improvement tool that incorporates growth ideas and formalizes them. Within it, we will find aspects such as:
1. Reference: Strategy or activity that when implemented generates the desired improvement. Ex: Frameworks, paradigms, organizational models or similar.
The Reference usually takes the form of a set of major themes that organizations must consider in order to efficiently achieve their objectives.
Depending on the nomenclature used by the creators of each model, these major themes may be called Dimensions, Pillars or Areas, and even, depending on the project, are usually broken down into smaller themes called Competencies. It is the degree of adherence to these dimensions/pillars/areas and their competencies that determine the current maturity level.
2. Measurement instrument: Application of methodologies that allow to know the current maturity level. This can take several forms, among them:
Questionnaires to be applied in group or individual interviews, in which the participants' answers must be supported with evidence.
Surveys in which participants express their views on how their organization applies the competencies of the model.
The first is applied in a process similar to an audit, and is mainly used in maturity models intended for the organization to be certified or to obtain some formal assessment appreciated in the market.
The second is usually used in continuous improvement processes, specifically focused on detecting and taking advantage of improvement opportunities. Therefore, they are based more on the opinion of the organization's members than on formal evidence.
3. Maturity level: It represents the exact point of where we are and is obtained through the application of a Measurement Instrument.
The maturity level is expressed on a global scale that includes all the dimensions or pillars of the model. Less frequently, there are also models that include maturity levels for each dimension or pillar and for each competency.
Unfortunately, there is no universal maturity scale; each model establishes its own levels. Some examples of models and their scales are:
- CMMi: Initial, Managed, Defined, Quantitatively Managed, Optimizing.
- OPM3: Standardized, Measured, Controlled, Continuously Improved.
- CMMC: Foundational, Advanced, Expert.
From a continuous improvement point of view, knowing where we are, or our maturity level, is essential. But, operationally, it is much more useful another output of the application of the models, which corresponds to the Growth Opportunities. These opportunities represent gaps between the organization's reality and the Reference.
It is the growth opportunities found that allow concrete actions to be taken that will bring the organization closer to the Reference used. Using the formal language of maturity models, the organization defines specific Actionables for the detected growth opportunities, which when executed allow the organization to advance in its Growth Journey.
The Growth Journey study provides valuable information. For example, it shows how the investment of resources made has impacted the evolution in maturity level. Also, the impact that one or more events have had between two applications of the model, helping to answer questions such as What things happened/we did since the last time we measured, and what made our maturity level go up/down?
Examples of maturity models:
There are several maturity models, which are applied in different areas with various objectives. Some of the best known are.
- Organizational Project Management Maturity Model (OPM3), created by the Project Management Institute's (PMI), is aimed at improving project management capacity in those organizations that base their processes on PMI's PMBoK.
- Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC), from the US Department of Defense, evaluates adherence to the cybersecurity standards of the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
- IBM's Big Data and Analytics Maturity Model seeks to support organizations in improving the return on their Big Data investments.
- Capability Maturity Model (CMM) / Capability Maturity Model integrated (CMMi). Originated at Carnegie Mellon University, it is one of the first models focused on organizational processes mainly associated with software engineering.
About the author: Guillermo Brajovic is Operations Manager at Ki Technologies, with extensive experience as a senior coach and a diverse background in executive, commercial and operational roles, he is a key player for our team.
Among his characteristics is his ability to simplify and explain complex issues, which has led him to great satisfaction as a mediator between business and technical areas.
