Models of Process Maturity in Organizations

Maturity models are a method of measuring progress made by organizations in terms of continuous improvement processes, they also serve as a specific driving mechanism facilitating that improvement. The chapter presents the general characteristics of maturity models in an attempt to systematize the same and juxtapose their features to reveal similarities between maturity models developed in different fields of management and for different types of organizations. To this end, 20 distinct maturity models are analyzed and compared. Two sample models are also described in the context of production companies and administrative institutions to serve as examples of models prevalent and popular in Europe: EFQM Excellence Model—used in production companies and Common Assessment Framework CAF—in public administration. Furthermore, two models developed in the course of our own studies are also presented: Productivity Management Model PMM—dedicated to production companies, and Risk Management in Public Crisis Management RMPCM—developed with lower-tier local self-government units in mind. The chapter’s summary reiterates the numerous similarities observed between models used in both analyzed types of organizations and the value thereof in terms of stimulating sustainable organizational development.