One of the most common questions we hear from IT leaders is straightforward:
How do we know if we are doing IT well?
Most organisations have a sense of what feels strong and what feels painful, but far fewer can confidently explain how their performance, costs or risks compare to what good really looks like.
Let’s keep this practical and jargon free. Here is a clear, friendly guide to IT maturity, why it matters, and how to get an honest view of where you stand.
Why IT Maturity Matters
IT maturity is not about frameworks or colour charts. It is about whether your IT function is:
- Effective
- Efficient
- Resilient
- Safe
- Able to support growth
A mature IT function delivers value at the right cost, manages risk properly and supports the business without constant surprises or firefighting.
Put simply, maturity influences performance, cost and risk. It also gives leaders a credible, evidence-based way to answer the question: How well are we doing?
The Five Dimensions of IT Maturity
1. Cost Efficiency
Are you spending the right amount in the right areas for the outcomes you deliver?
High maturity means controlled, transparent, value-driven investment.
Low maturity usually means unpredictable costs and poor return.
2. Service and Performance
How reliably and consistently does IT deliver day to day?
This includes service performance, incident handling, stability and the overall user experience.
High maturity here means fewer disruptions and more trust from the business.
3. Operational Capability
Do your people, processes and tools actually work together?
Clear processes, good tooling and defined roles create predictable delivery.
Low maturity usually shows up as firefighting, inconsistency and manual effort everywhere.
4. Cyber and Risk Management
Is your organisation genuinely protected?
High maturity means risks are visible, controls work and spend aligns to real threats.
Low maturity often sits behind the phrase ‘We think we are fine, but we are not entirely sure!’
5. Governance and Strategy
Do you have clear decision-making, prioritisation and direction?
High maturity means decisions are transparent and data led.
Low maturity means confusion, duplication and endless rework.
How Often Should You Review Maturity?
Most organisations benefit from reviewing their IT maturity every 18 to 24 months, with a lighter check-in once or twice a year. Technology, risks and costs change quickly, so the picture can shift even if the organisation feels stable.
Refreshing your maturity assessment simply means taking a new, evidence-based look at how IT is performing today. This usually involves updating performance and cost data, reviewing progress since the last assessment and comparing your position again with similar organisations. The goal is to understand what has improved, what has slipped and what is now out of line with current expectations.
You should also consider a review when you are preparing for major change, such as a sourcing event, a transformation programme or a shift in risk or demand.
If your last assessment was carried out before significant developments like cloud expansion or AI adoption, a refreshed view is almost always helpful.
How Do You Know What Good Looks Like?
This is where most internal teams struggle. You cannot compare maturity against yourself. You need:
- Independent data
- Peer comparison
- Clear, consistent definitions of good
- Evidence, not assumptions
Benchmarking gives you a true picture of your maturity level. It highlights strengths, weak spots, cost issues, risks and opportunities. Most importantly, it replaces ‘We think’ with ‘We know.’
What Should You Do With Your IT Maturity Results?
A good maturity assessment should give you practical priorities rather than just a score . It should highlight:
- Quick wins
- Structural or long-term improvements
- Risks that need attention
- Areas where spend is out of line
- Strengths you can build on
The real value is clarity. Maturity is not about perfection. It is about making confident, informed decisions.
If you’d like an independent view of your IT maturity, performance or benchmarking position, get in touch with our team.
IT Maturity FAQs
How often should organisations review IT maturity?
Most organisations review IT maturity every 18–24 months or ahead of major change.
What is the simplest way to know if IT is performing well?
Compare your IT performance, cost and risk to similar organisations using independent benchmarking.
What does “good” IT maturity look like in practice?
Good IT maturity means your function is predictable, cost-effective and trusted by the business. It delivers consistent service, manages risk properly, and makes decisions based on clear evidence rather than assumptions.
How do I know if our IT maturity is low?
Common signs include firefighting, inconsistent processes, unclear roles, unpredictable costs, frequent service issues, and difficulty explaining whether you’re performing well. Low maturity often “feels” busy but lacks measurable progress.
Can we improve IT maturity without extra budget?
Yes. Many improvements – clearer processes, better prioritisation, reducing duplication, removing legacy steps, cost little or nothing. Gains often come from working smarter, not spending more.
How does IT maturity affect business stakeholders?
Higher maturity reduces surprises, improves service quality, increases trust in IT, and makes business planning easier. Stakeholders gain confidence that technology is stable, cost-effective and aligned to business priorities.
Why compare our maturity to peers?
Peer comparison gives essential context. Without it, it’s impossible to know whether your cost, performance or risk levels are genuinely strong or simply “average”. It replaces guesswork with clear, defendable evidence.
