Maturity Models in Information Systems Management
Summary
Maturity models have emerged as pivotal instruments to gauge and steer the evolution of information systems practice across organisations. By articulating a set of progressive stages—ranging from initial or ad hoc processes to optimised and continuously improving regimes—these models create a structured pathway for digital transformation. Widely applied in domains such as IT service management, data governance, cybersecurity and knowledge management, maturity models offer a common language to assess capability, identify gaps and prioritise development. Frameworks such as CMMI, COBIT and ISO standards have laid the conceptual foundation, while sector-specific adaptations address unique operational contexts, whether in healthcare, finance or public administration. Beyond benchmarking, maturity models underpin strategic planning by linking process architecture with business objectives, fostering interoperability and enabling evidence-based investment. As organisations confront rapid technological advances and regulatory pressures, maturity models continue to guide both practitioners and researchers towards more resilient, agile and value-driven information systems management.
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Maturity Models in Information Systems Management publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in maturity models in information systems management across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Maturity model: A framework that defines successive levels of process capability, guiding organisations from initial stages through to optimised operation.
Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI): A process improvement approach providing organisations with essential elements for effective process enhancement.
IT Service Management (ITSM): A discipline for designing, delivering and managing IT services aligned with organisational needs.
ITIL: A set of best-practice guidelines for IT service management, structured into a lifecycle of service strategy, design, transition, operation and continual improvement.
Optimisation algorithm: A mathematical procedure that selects the best solution from a set of alternatives based on defined objectives and constraints.
References
- Multi-Framework Implementation of the Problem Management Process. Foresight and STI Governance (2021).
- Model to Optimize the Decision Making on Processes in IT Departments. Mathematics (2021).
- An IT Service Management Literature Review: Challenges, Benefits, Opportunities and Implementation Practices. Information (2021).
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