(First in a 3-part series about Roadmap Maturity Models.)

Many C-suite executives (CIOs, CDOs, CAOs, CAIOs*) tackle technology modernization challenges with finesse and craft that often comes from experience. The technology modernization initiatives can range from replacing legacy apps with cloud powered digital apps, automation, responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) and ML (Machine Learning) adoption to cybersecurity and privacy compliance measures, risk management and data governance, and enterprise data architecture.

However, one critical aspect that has been a common denominator in the approach of C-suite executives and staff team in both public and private sector is simplification. The team leaders supporting C-suite executives focus on sequencing and prioritizing initiatives based on design thinking and enterprise architecture principles. These principles come to life in form of a visualization tool called roadmap maturity model.

In this 3-part blog series, I will describe the concepts and benefits of a roadmap maturity model, how this approach has worked in federal agencies, and how to manage and integrate it as a true enterprise planning and prioritization tool.

What is a roadmap maturity model?

A roadmap maturity model is a bi-directional compass that drives data-driven investment and innovation by optimizing organizational allocation of scarce resources. The bi-directional compass refers to past and present. In essence, it means having an intricate understanding of the legacy state organization with inception of different applications and systems tied to their purposes to the emerging new platforms where the target state organization is constantly evolving.

The most important function of roadmap maturity model is to maximize customer business value. Customer Business Value is a function of executing roadmap guidelines and processes that deliver tangible value through a higher-level of organizational maturity and customer-centricity.

Roadmap Maturity Model can help any medium to large enterprise achieve six tangible benefits:

1. Build trust among various stakeholders (strategic and operational) and raise roadmap visibility with clear and concise communications.
2. Foster active engagement between business and operations stakeholders with focus towards business outcomes.
3. Enable faster resolution of discrepancies with mapping of roadmap interdependencies across business functions – finance, strategy, sales, marketing, and IT.
4. Drive data-informed decision-making based on qualitative and quantitative measurements.
5. Deliver operational excellence (ex: repeatable processes) with high quality roadmap and data integrations.
6. Ease of roadmap maintenance through self-service due to automation of manual processes.

Often, tech or business leaders discount the benefits of having a strategic partner to develop stronger strategies that scale organizations faster, cheaper, and better. Forging mission-aligned partnerships are critical to achieving business value.

Federal Roadmap Maturity Model in Action

Citizant has partnered with federal CIOs and CDOs for more than 2 decades, helping them with enterprise IT and data strategies, action plans, implementation support, and capability maturation. Roadmap maturity models have enabled us to clarify complex investment prioritization and sequencing options and ensure strategic initiatives are coordinated across the agency.

For example, at a large independent federal regulatory agency, Citizant recently supported enterprise architects in adopting a common language for effective communication by developing and integrating a maturity model.  A first-hand assessment of the agency’s current state helped stakeholders understand constraints and unlock the aspirations of staff and executive leaders. The enterprise vision – embedded in milestones at specific maturity levels along the multi-year plan – created the driving force that propelled the organization forward. Citizant coached enterprise architects on the essential attributes that form the roadmap maturity model.

Achieving operational excellence is only possible when an organization truly recognizes that the whole is greater than sum of its parts. Our integrated project team recognized that a high-quality roadmap must have data integration and some automation to make manual processes repeatable.

Stay tuned for the next blog post on who needs a roadmap maturity model and the characteristics of a quality roadmap maturity model.

* CAO = Chief Analytics Officer; CAIO = Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer