The document discusses capability maturity models and frameworks, explaining their importance in understanding and managing organizational capabilities for performance improvement. It covers various aspects, including maturity levels, the dynamic systems maturity theory, and the selection criteria for choosing appropriate models and frameworks. Additionally, it highlights the role of these models in facilitating change and transformation efforts within organizations.

1. What are Capability Maturity
Models and Frameworks?
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Contents
What are Capability Maturity Models & Why are they important?..........................................2
What are Business & Organisation Capabilities?...................................................................2
Why is understanding Capabilities useful? ............................................................................2
Why is it often a challenge to understand how an organisation functions, performs, and to
make successful changes?......................................................................................................3
An Example of a list of Digital Organisation Capabilities (DMI™ Reference Model) .............4
What is a Maturity Level? ......................................................................................................5
What new insights does Dynamic Systems Maturity Theory bring to understanding
Capability Maturity Levels?....................................................................................................5
What is a Capability Maturity Model? ...................................................................................6
What is a Capability Maturity Framework? ...........................................................................7
Choosing a Capability Maturity Model and Framework ........................................................7
Using a Capability Maturity Model & Framework .................................................................8
A high-level view of a Capability Maturity Improvement Methodology ...............................9
The Organisation Capability Maturity Framework.................................................................9
The Three Reference Models & Bodies of Knowledge ....................................................10
The Organisation Development Tools Institute...................................................................11
OrgCMF™ Improvement Roadmaps.....................................................................................11
OrgCMF™ Benefits ...............................................................................................................12
Get Started with OrgCMF™..................................................................................................12
Examples of Capability Maturity Frameworks .....................................................................13

2. What are Capability Maturity
Models and Frameworks?
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What are Capability Maturity Models & Why are they
important?
Perhaps we should start with the question below
What are Business & Organisation Capabilities?
Capabilities are most often defined as ‘The ability to mobilise resources to achieve an Aim’.
This is quite a general description but it captures the essence of what a Capability is.
The strength of understanding and managing Capabilities is that it can apply at any
organisation group or level and, to any person or thing. From a Business & Management
perspective we are mainly concerned about the Capabilities of:
• Organisations
• Functions
• Teams
• Processes
• Activities
• People
• Machines
Why is understanding Capabilities useful?
Ultimately a Business, Organisation, Team or Function’s; Performance, Practices and Culture
are determined by the level of their Capabilities (Often referred to as their Maturity Level,
Functioning Level or Learning Level).
Capabilities encompass the often sophisticated ‘Inters’ within and Organisation system, sub-
system and elements, which ultimately determines outcomes and outputs. For example, if

3. What are Capability Maturity
Models and Frameworks?
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we take a ‘Work Activity’ in an organisation process, the effectiveness and outputs are
determined by many factors within that activity, and many external factors (Skills, Attitude,
Data, Machines, Techniques, Process, Environment etc. etc). Capability Maturity
Management is a means of understanding, managing and improving outputs and outcomes
in this sophisticated scenario, especially in times of VUCA.
Why is it often a challenge to understand how an organisation functions,
performs, and to make successful changes?
Because organisations are complex systems made up of many diverse elements that usually
influence or impact on each other in different ways. We describe these influences or
impacts as ‘The Inters’
• Interrelationship: The way in which two or more things or people are connected and
affect one another.
• Interconnected: Different parts, people or things that are connected or related.
• Interoperable: The ability or two or more people or things to share information
and/or resources.
• Interdependent: The state of two or more people or things being dependent upon
one another
• Interlayered: A person or thing inserted between other persons or things (layers)
• Intercepted: To take, touch, monitor, halt or someone or something on its way to a
destination.
• Intervention: the act of interfering with the outcome or course someone or
something.
• Intermediated: Lying or occurring between two extremes or in a middle position or
state for persons or things.

4. What are Capability Maturity
Models and Frameworks?
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Capability Maturity Reference Modelling is a means of representing the Organisation system
and its ‘Inters’ to provide a Framework & Simplification, to plan and execute Change,
Transformation and Improvement.
An Example of a list of Digital Organisation Capabilities (DMI™ Reference Model)

5. What are Capability Maturity
Models and Frameworks?
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What is a Maturity Level?
The Maturity Level for Capability Management is the measurement scale which is used to
define the specific traits and performance at each defined level in the scale, for each specific
Capability. Many maturity models use descriptive scales with 5 levels, some use a normative
and scientific 7 or 15 level scale. Dynamic Systems Maturity Theory (DSMT) identifies 15
discreet maturity levels, while The Organisation Capability Maturity Framework
(OrgCMF™) Reference Models use a more practical 7 level normative scale based on DSMT.
The Maturity Level may also be stated as the Functioning Level of an Organisation, Team or
Specific Capability which can be measured and stated as the existing habituated level
(measured level). So, the Maturity Level describes the Functioning Level and explains the
consequential Performance, Practices and Behaviours.
The Maturity Level also may be stated as the ‘Learning Level’ for an Organisation, Team or
Specific Capability. The ‘Learning Level’ may be described as the ability to change, in other
words the nature, magnitude and frequency of change that can gain sustainable traction (In
effect the Agility).
By understanding the Maturity Level of an Organisation, Team or Specific Capability we can
understand why it performs at a specific level, and its ability to respond to change. This is
important because Transformation and Change Programs usually have performance targets
and aims from a business perspective, and to attain those targets and aims usually requires
building new capabilities, and building the Maturity level of some existing capabilities. It
must do this in order to achieve the target business and change objectives within the
desired time-frames.
What new insights does Dynamic Systems Maturity Theory bring to
understanding Capability Maturity Levels?
By understanding the existing Maturity level (Learning Level) Change and Transformation
actions can be calibrated to assure they gain sustainable traction and build Agility, as the
identified Capabilities are built through the Capability Development Process/Roadmap.
Research that led to DSMT identified that the lower Maturity Levels (OrgCMF™ levels (1-
3)/7) are disintegrative, and do not have the ability to take on board change without
support and assistance. Reviewing each stage of the Development Roadmap for the
Measured entity or capability from Level 1 to ensure all foundation Capabilities are in place
is a key requirement at these lower levels of Maturity.
Equally the higher Maturity Levels (OrgCMF™ Levels (5-7)/7) are integrative and have the
capacity to take on board change without significant additional support at the measured
level’s development guidance.

6. What are Capability Maturity
Models and Frameworks?
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Maturity Level 4 (Operational) is borderline and may be either Integrative or Disintegrative
and special care needs to be taken when implementing change actions at this level
validating all Capability indicators for that level are in place.
What is a Capability Maturity Model?
A reference model in systems, organisation, and engineering is an abstract framework or
domain-specific ontology consisting of an interlinked set of clearly defined concepts,
produced by an expert or body of experts in order to encourage clear communication. A
reference model can represent the component parts of any consistent idea, from business
functions to system components, as long as it represents a complete set. This frame of
reference can then be used to communicate ideas clearly among members of the same
community.
A Capability Maturity Model (CMM) is a Reference Model that represents a defined
Organisation System and/or sub-system, which identifies and defines each Capability and its
building blocks for every Maturity Level on a defined and accepted maturity scale. Thus,
enabling users of the model to identify the relevant Capabilities to their business aims and
objectives, assess their existing maturity levels and improve those capabilities to target
maturity levels they deem important to achieve their objectives.

7. What are Capability Maturity
Models and Frameworks?
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What is a Capability Maturity Framework?
A reference framework is a Body of Knowledge, Reference Model, Guides, Tools, Platforms
and Standard that represents researched and practiced approaches that reflect shared
learning and best practice in an ecosystem or domain.
A Capability Maturity Framework (CMF) is a set of artefacts and tools that enable a user to
identify the current capability maturity of their Organisation, Team, Function, Capability and
its Capability Building Blocks, identify new capabilities required and maturity level
improvements required to achieve a specific output and outcomes. A Framework normally
includes: -
• A Capability Maturity Reference Model
• A Body of Knowledge
• A means to Measure or Assess Maturity against the Model
• A methodology to integrate Capability Improvement into Transformation, Change or
Improvement Programs
• A Maturity Development process for every Capability and the levels of the Model
overall
• Supporting evidence of the management science that underpins the CMM
Choosing a Capability Maturity Model and Framework
The selection criteria for the Reference Model should include:
• Based on independent & objective scientific research.
• Normative reference base (measurement standard).
• Accessible, Useful & Usable by Industry & Professionals.
• Community led Application and Development
• Value Added Ecosystem for derived knowledge and tools
• Represent latest Knowledge & Best Practice
The ‘Reference Model & Framework’ should be chosen to support the specific
Improvement, Change or Transformation objectives of the organisation, and connect both
investment and action with achieving those objectives.
Whether it’s a tactical, short, or long-term strategic initiative, the use of the Model &
Framework should guide the user Organisation, Teams and Individuals on the appropriate
priorities, actions and impacts expected, day to day and over the long term. A good Model &
Framework helps individuals and teams deal with the sophistication, complexity and
interrelationships within and Organisation System.

8. What are Capability Maturity
Models and Frameworks?
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Using a Capability Maturity Model & Framework
A Reference Model & Framework is about providing useful and accurate information to the
Organisation, Teams & Individuals if and when they need it, to achieve their target aims and
ambitions in a sustainable manner, reducing risk and enhancing successful outcomes. It
does this by helping provide answers to questions like?
• What is our current performance and why?
• Where do we need to start?
• What are our priorities?
• Have we missed anything?
• What capabilities do we need to achieve our aims and objectives?
• What tactical and/or strategic investment/actions should we take?
• Are we progressing? & How well are we progressing?
• How do we compare with XXX?
• How do we overcome or improve YYY?
There are two critical Information components in a ‘Reference Framework’ that assure its
value to Organisations, Teams & Individuals.
1. Body of Knowledge
2. Measurement (Assessment)
An additional component of Information comes from the Organisation’s own knowledge and
competence, which is the 3rd and final essential component that enables the realization of
the Framework Value.

9. What are Capability Maturity
Models and Frameworks?
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A high-level view of a Capability Maturity Improvement Methodology
The Organisation Capability Maturity Framework

10. What are Capability Maturity
Models and Frameworks?
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The Three Reference Models & Bodies of Knowledge
• The Organisation Maturity Index (OMI)
• The Team Maturity Index (TMI)
• The Digital Maturity Index (DMI)

11. What are Capability Maturity
Models and Frameworks?
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The Organisation Development Tools Institute
OrgCMF™ Improvement Roadmaps

12. What are Capability Maturity
Models and Frameworks?
www.orgcmf.com
OrgCMF™ Benefits
Get Started with OrgCMF™
Register on OrgCMF™ Digital Platform
• Complete the short registration (email and set your password)
• We will assign ‘Privileged’ Account Status within 24 hours
• You will then have
o Full access to all three Reference Models and their bodies of knowledge
o Access and take the short familiarisation videos
o Unlimited access to select or configure your own Maturity Assessments
o Run Capability Maturity Assessments and access Real-time reports and action
guidance

13. What are Capability Maturity
Models and Frameworks?
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Examples of Capability Maturity Frameworks
There are many examples of Capability Maturity Frameworks and Capability Maturity
Assessments offered. Beware of the proprietary company versions that may not be
adequately informed by independent scientific research. The IT sector is well serviced by
models as you will see below from a few examples, these ones tend to be ‘Technology’ or
‘Technology Management’ centric.
Capability Maturity Management Glossary