SPARA Maturity Model

Unlike traditional maturity models that measure process compliance or documentation completeness, SPARA focuses on real-world performance enablement:

• It is cross-functional: Usable across any SPARA Theme

• It is layered: Reflects not just practices, but how they influence data, roles, and value

• It is adaptable: Applies to both mature enterprises and lean teams

• It is actionable: Designed to generate practical insights and roadmaps

This is a maturity model for the AI era — one that focuses not on whether a process exists, but whether it delivers, adapts, and improves performance.

Each level represents a step change in how performance is understood, enabled, and evolved.

Level 1: Reactive – Performance by Habit or Heroics

• Capabilities are ad hoc, undocumented, and heavily dependent on individuals

• No consistent approach to measurement, insight, or improvement

• Problems are addressed reactively and often recur

• Leadership lacks visibility into performance root causes

Level 2: Defined – Performance by Procedure

• Basic processes and responsibilities are documented and followed inconsistently

• Metrics exist but may not align with outcomes

• Improvement efforts are tactical and siloed

• Governance is present but rarely guides change

Level 3: Aligned – Performance by Design

• Capabilities are designed to align with strategy and purpose

• Metrics, roles, and flows are harmonised within the metamodel

• The organisation can identify and respond to friction points

• Governance supports decisions; improvement has rhythm

Level 4: Integrated – Performance by Intelligence

• Performance insight drives decision-making and resource allocation

• Levers are coordinated to support flow and remove drag

• Themes are actively monitored and adjusted in response to patterns

• Governance is proactive, and people are empowered to act

Level 5: Optimising – Performance by Evolution

• The organisation continuously evolves its operating model

• AI, analytics, and feedback loops support adaptive performance

• Improvement is embedded into culture and role expectations

• The system self-corrects through insight and rhythm

Every SPARA Theme — from Metrics to Ownership, Governance to Service Rhythm — can be assessed using this standard model. This ensures consistency and enables leaders to compare:

• Maturity across different service areas

• Capability gaps across teams or partners

• Opportunities for harmonised improvement

By using the same five-level structure across Themes, SPARA enables:

• Holistic reporting on organisational maturity

• Tailored improvement paths per domain

• Common language for performance development

In practice, SPARA Advisors use this model to anchor assessments, while Pro-tier artifacts guide action based on current and target levels.

There are three core use cases:

1. Self-Assessment

Internal teams or leaders can review maturity statements and identify their current level. This enables reflective analysis and targeted conversations.

2. SPARA Advisors

Advisor products use a diagnostic Q&A model to assess maturity across selected Themes. Each question aligns to one of the five levels, and responses generate a narrative report and tailored upgrade path.

3. Certified Assessments

Certified SPARA Assessors (internal or external) use structured criteria and interviews to baseline maturity, define target levels, and guide improvement journeys. This model underpins certification and benchmarking.

The SPARA Capability Maturity Model turns performance from a black box into a blueprint. It offers a common structure for understanding what exists, what’s missing, and what’s next. It provides the foundation for assessment, strategy, and capability growth.

Performance isn’t an accident. Maturity makes it deliberate.

“Clarity isn’t just power — it’s progress. The SPARA CMM gives you both.”