# Enterprise Architecture Maturity Level

**In short:** An enterprise architecture maturity level shows how well the architecture function has developed. Judge it by the value the organization gains, and set a target that fits the organization's size and complexity.

## Explanation

Enterprise architecture (EA) is the practice of designing how a whole organization's business and IT fit together. See the article Enterprise Architecture. A maturity level describes how developed the EA department is.

**Levels and labels.** Info-Tech's scale uses labels such as Firefighter and Unstable. These are the two low levels. Info-Tech reports that over 80% of CEOs and CFOs place their IT functions in one of them.

**Value is the measure.** Info-Tech treats the value the organization actually gains as the true sign of maturity. A level is therefore not a score on its own. It reflects business outcomes.

**The target should fit the organization.** Info-Tech says the target should be right-sized to the organization's size and complexity. The top level is not necessarily right for every EA department. This also argues against comparing maturity across different organizations.

**Assess, set a target, plan.** The Info-Tech maturity blueprint works in three parts:

1. Assess the current maturity of the EA department.
2. Define the optimal target for the organization.
3. Produce a roadmap of EA initiatives.

Info-Tech's assessment brief says its auto-generated goals and roadmap turn improvement into a step-by-step process.

**Other models exist.** TOGAF (see the article TOGAF) includes the Architecture Capability Maturity Model (ACMM). The US Department of Commerce developed it. It nominally has six levels, numbered 0 to 5. The NASCIO model is another option. It was designed for state governments.

## Example

A small company has a three-person EA team. Leadership first assesses where the team stands today. It then picks a target that matches the company's size and complexity, instead of copying a larger company's level. Finally, it lists the initiatives that would move the team toward that target, and it checks progress by the value the business gains.

## Trade-offs

Aiming for the top level is not always sensible. It may cost more than the organization needs, because the right target depends on size and complexity.

Choosing a model also has limits. The ACMM is described as best suited to organizations that already have EA experience. The NASCIO model is not suitable for non-governmental organizations.

Assess, set a target, plan, and check value.

```mermaid
flowchart LR
  A[Assess current maturity] --> B[Define right-sized target]
  B --> C[Build roadmap of EA initiatives]
  C --> D[Check value realized]
```

## Checks

- The document states the target maturity level and explains why it fits the organization's size and complexity.
- Maturity is tied to value realized by the organization, not only to a level label.
- The current maturity is assessed and a roadmap of EA initiatives leads toward the target.
- If a maturity model such as NASCIO or ACMM is used, the document confirms it suits the organization type and its EA experience.

## Related

- [Enterprise Architecture Maturity Stages](https://arc.fuet.ch/concepts/enterprise-architecture/enterprise-architecture-maturity-stages.md)
- [Enterprise Architecture](https://arc.fuet.ch/concepts/enterprise-architecture/enterprise-architecture-management.md)
- [TOGAF](https://arc.fuet.ch/concepts/enterprise-architecture/togaf.md)
- [Enterprise Architecture Strategy](https://arc.fuet.ch/concepts/enterprise-architecture/enterprise-architecture-strategy.md)
- [Warning Signs of Poor Enterprise Architecture](https://arc.fuet.ch/concepts/enterprise-architecture/warning-signs-of-poor-enterprise-architecture.md)
- [Degrees of BPM Maturity](https://arc.fuet.ch/concepts/modeling-bpmn/degrees-of-bpm-maturity.md)

## Sources

- [Assess Your Enterprise Architecture Maturity | Infotech](https://www.infotech.com/research/ss/assess-your-enterprise-architecture-maturity) — infotech.com, accessed 2026-11-09
- [The Enterprise Architecture Playbook | Infotech](https://www.infotech.com/research/ss/the-enterprise-architecture-playbook) — infotech.com, accessed 2026-11-09
- [Enterprise Architecture Maturity Assessment – Executive Brief | Infotech](https://www.infotech.com/research/enterprise-architecture-maturity-assessment-executive-brief) — infotech.com, accessed 2026-11-09
- [Enterprise Architecture Maturity Model: A Comprehensive Guide](https://www.ardoq.com/knowledge-hub/enterprise-architecture-maturity-model) — ardoq.com, accessed 2026-11-09