Process Maturity

There are many different Improvement methodologies, that have been developed by many gurus over many years. ThinkingProcess sees that an effective process excellence programme needs to develop balanced capabilities in a number of different areas.
The model and assessment can be used at different organisational levels, including local, functional, cross functional and end to end process assessments, as well as with customer and suppliers. This can be seen in the Network Rail example below.

Some areas will provide quick wins, and others longer term benefits. The programme needs therefore to develop the areas accordingly to get visibility and demonstration of quick wins etc with a balance across the areas.

Generally maturity models have (four or five) defined maturity levels for each section that is being assessed with simple questions that enable a team or group to assess what level they are at. Expected benefits will be described for improving to higher levels, which can be assessed and agreed within the team, and the model will be supported by suggested action plans and tools for achieving higher maturity levels. Different areas for assessment may include some or all of the following:

Programme
1. Programme: Vision, strategy, programme, project management, milestones, Maturity Assessment,
2. Engagement: Exec and management etc commitment, engagement, culture, communications
Process
3. Process: (corporate) models (process, organisation, KPI, location etc), notation standards, context, SIPOC relationships, other process standards and definition (static), Ownership maturity, end to end / functional, (technology maturity)
4. Process Information (dynamic): KPI, data, analysis, control charts, lead and lag indicators, balanced scorecard, knowledge, accessibility, (technology maturity)
Activity
5. Process Management: Visual management, management and staff reviews, prioritisation, sponsorship, customer focus, process audit, performance review
6. Process Improvement: Prioritised improvement (hopper), use of methods, delivery to benefit, share and knowledge management, transfer of best practice, long term and short term improvements, people process and system changes, project management, (process automation technology), (project management technology maturity)
Capability
7. Tools and Methods: process modelling and documentation, lean, workouts, six sigma, dfss etc, specific tools, documentation, review and improvement
8. People: Owners, Project roles (belts, champions, team etc), process performers, process managers, skills, knowledge, rewards, availability and priority
(Other)
9. Systems: intra system integration, inter system integration

Example Maturity Models

	ThinkingProcess Process Maturity Model This model was developed by ThinkingProcess as a comprehensive process maturity model, covering three areas: Process Performance Improvement
	Blue Chip Company Process Maturity Model Example of a process maturity model →
	Network Rail Process Maturity Model (1) This model was developed as a tool to show the route to world class processes and some of the key steps along the way. It was intended to be visual, and was used both to explain the strategy of the programme, and discuss where individual functions or projects thought they were at.→
	Network Rail Process Maturity Assessment (2) This more detailed maturity assessment was developed for teams to self assess the maturity of their process efforts→
	BP Trends This model was described in detail in the November 2004 BP Trends magazine.→. Click on the image for full size picture.
	Generic Model This model is arranged into three areas: process, performance, improvement.
	CMMI The CMMI Model was developed as a maturity programme for system and software development. It covers 5 different levels of maturity, and the comprehensive model also identifies different business areas that will have process capability at different levels of overall business maturity.→
	IDS Scheer This model includes additional attributes, such as improvement, competence, standards etc→
	EFQM The EQFM→ (European Foundation for Quality Management), or Baldridge model in the US, is a business Excellence assessment model. It covers much more than process maturity, but a high level of process assessment is included. As well as providing the ability to conduct self assessments, companies can be externally assessed, leading to annual awards.→