Digital Maturity Models and How to Select the Right One

At its core, a digital maturity model is a framework in business development and transformation that enables companies to better understand their digital position. It formalizes processes for evaluation that accurately assess current digital capabilities and identify specific gaps, offering a practical roadmap to further technological advancement.

This article will dive a little deeper into the concept, explaining what digital maturity models are, what different types are available, and how organizations can select one that best aligns with their structure and goals.

What Is a Digital Maturity Model?

A digital maturity model is a diagnostic tool used to assess the state of a company’s digital readiness and overall capabilities in a range of technological functions. The mapping it provides often takes a tiered or staged perspective on development, providing a clearly benchmarked view of what progress the company has made on its digital transformation journey.

Much like when establishing how to perform a SWOT analysis, companies should understand that there are various areas digital maturity models typically focus on. These include the development of technology infrastructure, strategic data usage, engagement with customers through digital tools, internal workflows, and the strength of digital leadership.

Purpose and Importance of Digital Maturity Models

Companies and advisory bodies utilize digital maturity models because they’re clear and data-backed tools. They support a structured approach to digital transformation planning alongside more informed strategic decision-making. Not to mention that these models provide greater roadmap clarity, establishing where the company currently stands and the key steps that are needed to achieve its digital performance goals. There are also opportunities to benchmark against peer organizations and industry standards.

Digital maturity models are relevant and impactful across a range of sectors and sizes. Whether small businesses are modernizing operations to be more competitive or multinationals are spearheading complex digital programs, models provide frameworks for accurate evaluations.

Core Components of a Digital Maturity Model

Digital maturity models differ depending on sector, emphasizing distinct dimensions that are most relevant. However, there are some components that are common in most models. Strategy and leadership is a core focus, examining the alignment between executive vision and long-term digital goals. Next, the technology and platforms dimension focused on understanding how robust and scalable a company’s digital tools are. This may involve examining how can business process automation enhance scalability​.

Organizational culture and structure are important aspects, too, with the maturity model identifying the company’s adaptability to digital change. Furthermore, assessments of customer experience highlight the efficacy of customer engagement via digital channels.

Data and analytics are essential areas of focus. Maturity models establish how valuable internal and external information is collected, analyzed, and used to influence decisions. Finally, governance and risk dimensions of models dig into security and compliance frameworks and how well they are supporting growth.

Overview of Common Digital Maturity Frameworks

There are several widely recognized approaches to digital maturity modeling, including:

• The Deloitte model – This is a relatively comprehensive approach, designed to give a detailed overview of progress. It focuses on evaluating five dimensions: customer, strategy, technology, operations, and organization & culture. Assessments, gap analyses, and roadmap development all contribute to a holistic view.
• The TM Forum model – Focused on mapping digital maturity of communications service providers (CSPs), it has become an industry standard. The structure involves evaluating customer, strategy, technology, operations, data culture, people, and organization. The purpose is largely to understand agility, innovation, and customer centricity.  
• Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) – CMMI isn’t exclusively used in digital modeling, but is often adapted to it. It is focused on identifying and structuring process improvements, examining areas such as project planning and risk management, alongside creating staged representations for maturity milestones.

How Digital Maturity Is Measured

The typical measurement of digital maturity involves recognized scoring systems. These break down progress into clearly defined stages, levels, or percentages. For instance, transformation could be divided into milestones, and the model identifies which of these has been reached and what must be done to progress to the next.

Additionally, some models focus on qualitative assessment methods, such as stakeholder interviews or self-evaluations. Others take a quantitative approach, analyzing metrics or key performance indicators (KPIs) to establish maturity.

While self-assessment through internal dashboards provides real-time data on digital maturity, frequent third-party assessments provide essential objectivity.

How to Select the Right Digital Maturity Model

Choosing the right model begins with ensuring industry relevance, as some are geared toward specific sectors. The complexity and size of the business should be considered, too, as smaller businesses may require simpler frameworks than multinationals.

When companies have geographic presence in various jurisdictions, they must also select models that incorporate assessments of varying digital compliance regulations. The company’s digital ambition affects model choice, too, as some are more suited to incremental improvements while others support larger-scale transformation. Furthermore, establishing capacity for internal or external assessment can influence choice of model, as certain models require outside audits.

Above all else, companies should select a model that best aligns with their digital objectives and long-term organizational goals. Even when a single model doesn’t precisely fit a company’s needs, it may be possible to adapt or combine frameworks; a business consulting service can help companies execute this effectively.

Benefits of Using a Digital Maturity Model

There are various benefits to modeling, beginning with the fact that it informs structured decision-making processes when planning long-term digital investments. It also highlights key capability gaps and risks, driving impactful investment and strategy prioritization.

Additionally, maturity models facilitate accurate benchmarking. Companies can assess progress against that of peers, competitors, or evolving industry standards, directing relevant change. It also supports plans for phased digital transformation and prioritization, aligning current resources with the next milestone needs. Furthermore, these models enable leaders to align around clear, measurable outcomes, influencing progress.

Limitations and Considerations

Digital maturity models have some key limitations to bear in mind, including:

• They’re frameworks – Models are only frameworks for analysis, they’re not exact blueprints for action.
• There’s bias potential – Assessments may reflect the biases or subjective perspectives of those performing them, impacting outcomes.
• Context matters – Given the potential influence of bias, assessors must understand the broader context of the company’s digital maturity and interpret results through this lens.
• Overdependence must be avoided – Companies should avoid relying too heavily on modeling as just another administrative or confirmatory exercise. Results must be followed by decisive action and commitment to change.

Digital Maturity and Long-Term Business Strategy

Digital maturity models are important parts of broader long-term business planning. When these frameworks identify strengths and gaps, companies can align their resources with achievable goals. This is because insights from the maturity model can directly guide action on everything from digital partnerships and talent acquisition to infrastructure upgrades and market expansion strategy. That said, these aren’t one-time tools. Maturity modeling is an ongoing process, best utilized with an iterative approach that gradually helps companies evolve with the digital landscape.

FAQs

What is a digital maturity model?

A structured framework that helps organizations assess their digital capabilities across key functional areas.

Why is digital maturity important?

It allows businesses to evaluate their transformation readiness and align digital initiatives with long-term goals.

Are there different types of digital maturity models?

Yes, various models exist with unique structures and dimensions, intended for different industries and organizational needs.

Can a digital maturity model be customized?

Yes, many organizations tailor frameworks or combine elements from multiple models to suit their specific context.

How often should digital maturity be reassessed?

Regular reassessment is recommended, typically annually or after major digital initiatives or restructuring efforts.

References

Ciruskabiri, S. (2023, January)/ Digital Transformation Planning and Frameworks. Research Gate. https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Digital-maturity-assessment-model-Deloitte-2018_fig2_373453603 

TM Forum. (2025). Digital Maturity Model. TM Forum. https://www.tmforum.org/digital-maturity-model-metrics/?iframe=true 

Geeks for Geeks. (2024, August 5). Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI). Geeks for Geeks. https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/software-engineering/capability-maturity-model-integration-cmmi/