Maturity Model Builder
Assess your current state and chart a path to excellence. Build, customize, and export professional maturity models for any domain.
Maturity Model Builder
Understanding Maturity Models
What is a Maturity Model?
A Maturity Model is a framework for assessing how developed an organization's capabilities are across specific dimensions. Originally developed by the Software Engineering Institute at Carnegie Mellon as the Capability Maturity Model (CMM), this approach has been adapted for virtually every domain: agile adoption, DevOps practices, data governance, digital transformation, and more. By mapping current state against a defined progression of levels, organizations can identify gaps and prioritize improvements.
The Classic Five Levels
Processes are undefined and chaotic. Success depends on individual effort. Results are unpredictable.
Basic processes exist for projects. Discipline ensures repeatability of prior successes.
Processes are standardized organization-wide. Proactive rather than reactive. Knowledge is shared.
Processes are measured and controlled. Decisions are data-driven. Performance is predictable.
Continuous improvement is embedded. Innovation is systematic. Focus on defect prevention.
How to Use This Tool
- Define dimensions: What capability areas will you assess? Examples: Process, People, Technology, Data, Culture.
- Define levels: Customize the scale (3, 5, or more levels). Write clear descriptions for each level per dimension.
- Assess current state: Have stakeholders rate where the organization currently sits on each dimension.
- Set target state: Where do you need to be? Be realistic—Level 5 isn't always necessary or cost-effective.
- Identify gaps: The difference between current and target reveals your improvement priorities.
- Build a roadmap: Create actionable initiatives to close gaps, sequencing by dependencies and impact.
Common Maturity Model Domains
Data quality, governance, analytics capabilities
CI/CD, automation, observability, collaboration
Scrum adoption, cross-functional teams, continuous delivery
💡 Level 5 Isn't Always the Goal
Higher maturity requires more investment in process, tooling, and training. For some capabilities, Level 3 may be perfectly adequate—especially if the domain isn't strategically critical. Focus resources where maturity gaps create the most business risk or opportunity cost. A Level 5 capability that doesn't serve strategy is waste.
Mastering Maturity Models
The Strategic Value of Maturity Models
Why organizations need structured frameworks to measure growth and how to implement them effectively.
Beyond the Grid: How to Actually Use a Maturity Model
Moving from assessment to action. Practical steps to drive improvement using your maturity model results.
Maturity Models vs. Roadmaps
Understanding the distinct roles of these two powerful strategic tools and how they complement each other.
Building a Data Governance Maturity Model
A step-by-step walkthrough of creating a maturity model for data governance, applicable to any domain.
Why Most Maturity Models Fail
Avoid common pitfalls like over-complexity and lack of ownership to ensure your maturity model drives real change.