In this section:

IT Capability Maturity Framework (IT-CMF)

You are here: Home > IT-CMF > FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the IT-CMF?
A: Backed by some of the biggest names in business and academia, the IT Capability Maturity Framework (IT-CMF) provides a concise management roadmap to optimize business value derived from IT investments. This unique framework, on its way toward becoming a global industry standard, is designed to deliver more measurable business value from IT while reducing the complexity of IT choices for CIOs.

Q: How does the framework work, exactly?
A: The IT-CMF consists of a five-stage maturity model which is used to organize and structure a framework for mapping IT improvement efforts. The holistic approach of the IT- CMF is shown through four macro capabilities for each of the five maturity stages. These consist of Managing the IT Budget, Managing the IT Capability, Managing IT for Business Value, and Managing IT like a Business. Altogether, 33 individual processes are managed by the framework.

Q: Via what tools and services is this framework implemented and monitored?
A: For each critical capability, there is a maturity curve developed with associated electronic assessment tool. With the assessment complete, organizations will have a clear roadmap of key areas for improvement.

Q: How is progress assessed and managed over time?
A: The result of the assessment will be an insightful input to consider and prioritize actions. A follow up assessment in 12 months is recommended to monitor progress.

Q: There are 33 capabilities within the framework. How does a company prioritize which process is critical to their business.
A: The first step is to take a high level assessment to prioritize gaps. Once the critical gaps are identified, the company can then assess the priority areas for detailed assessment based on their business model and strategy. The assessments can take place in stages.

Q: What software tools are provided by IVI? Ongoing services?
A: A number of assessment methods, electronic tools and benchmark data are provided to help organizations understand the important processes of IT capability that support business value delivery. IVI also offers a range of educational options for the Business and IT which can be delivered through a series of 1 and 3-day programs. Similar educational options are available for Academia and Instructors via complementary modules that can be integrated into the existing curriculums of business and IT students.

Q: Is this owned by the companies or the education institution?
A: The institute is wholly owned by the university. The IP is also owned by the university with a licensing agreement for member companies.

Q: Why is this necessary?
A: The main issue CIOs and business leaders face in today's recessionary climate is trying to derive greater demonstrable business value from IT spend amid challenged IT budgets. While today's stark economic outlook makes optimizing IT's value a top priority, there currently is no integrated, standardized framework for making and evaluating investment decisions strategically from a holistic perspective at the corporate level. Organizations therefore lack visibility into where IT investments are most needed in order to move forward with absolute confidence.

Q: A lot of companies seem to have their act together in terms of using technology as a business driver. Is this really a problem?
A: All of the IVI research conducted to date indicates that there is room for improvement across all industry sectors. Pilot studies conducted to date indicate an average maturity level of between 2 and 3 indicating that there is a definite need to improve how IT contributes to business value.

Q: What makes the IT-CMF unique?
A: The IT-CMF is unique because it:

Was developed by a diverse consortium of academic and business leaders
Was tested in the real world at every stage of development
Offers open innovation to everyone
Gives business and IT one common language
Was developed by a diverse consortium of academic and business leaders
Provides visibility into value across all of IT and unlocks that value with proven, measurable results