A Comparative Assessment of Enterprise Content Management Maturity Models

There is increasing interest in maturity models dating back to the 1980s. A maturity model is a management tool designed to help organizations implement effective processes in a given management discipline. This chapter provides comparative assessment of three enterprise content management (ECM) maturity models that have been developed and implemented in different parts of the world. While the maturity model concept has existed for several decades, ECM maturity models are a more recent phenomenon. This study explores the theoretical foundations and functionality drawing lessons that could contribute to future developments. It outlines a history of maturity models and describes three ECM models developed in different parts of the world and compares the different levels and dimensions of maturity levels within the models. The chapter demonstrates that the different maturity models have varied naming conventions, different levels of complexity, and vary in the approach to maturity assessment.