Five Levels of Maturity

The Five Levels of Maturity describe how organizations develop their processes and capabilities over time. Level 1 (Initial) is where practices are unorganized and reactive. Level 2 (Managed) introduces basic planning and control. Level 3 (Defined) standardizes processes across the organization. Level 4 (Quantitatively Managed) uses data and metrics to measure performance and improve. Level 5 (Optimizing) focuses on continuous improvement, innovation, and adapting processes proactively. Moving through these levels helps organizations become more efficient, predictable, and capable of delivering quality results.