ISO Digital Capability Maturity Assessment Models
The ISO Digital Capability Maturity Assessment Models initiative aligns with ISO's Strategy 2030, which emphasizes the widespread use of ISO standards, meeting global needs, and ensuring inclusive participation in the standardization process.
This initiative demonstrates ISO's commitment to enhancing the digital capabilities of the national standards bodies (NSBs) within the framework of its Action Plan for Developing Countries.
These assessment models were developed with funding from the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS).
ISO members can use the DMAS model in two ways:
- NSBs can carry out the full DMAS process on their own by following the steps, guidance and resources provided in the pdf document.
- Support is available for National Standards Bodies (NSBs) from developing countries, provided they fullfil the specific eligibility criteria established for this option. Please contact the ISO Capacity Building Unit for further details.
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What is the ISO DMAS model?
Digital transformation requires a fundamental shift in organizational culture, operations and ecosystem, achieved through the intelligent use of people, processes and digital technology solutions, to bring about meaningful change for customers and service users. This implies a transformation in the way national standards bodies (NSBs) create value.
The DMAS model aims to strengthen national standards bodies (NSBs), especially in developing countries, by providing a structured approach to assess and enhance their digital capabilities. It offers best practices and a strategic roadmap to help NSBs align digital transformation with corporate objectives, ensuring they understand and develop the necessary digital capabilities for successful implementation.
DMAS model deliverables
The DMAS model has three primary deliverables:
- A tailored digital maturity assessment model, adapted to the ISO member’s business models and needs.
- Standardized maturity scores offering clear benchmarks.
- A digital transformation roadmap providing the ISO member with clear guidance to improve their digital maturity.
Key benefits
The key benefits of applying the generic DMAS model are as follows:
- Ensures digital transformation is aligned with the NSB’s corporate strategy - it ensures digital transformation is not driven as a separate initiative or programme and that it is fully aligned with the overall ambition of the NSB.
- Supports transparency and collaboration - it ensures that interdependencies between digital capabilities are clearly managed, eliminates duplication of effort and promotes transparency across the organization.
- Provides practical guidelines and performance measurement criteria - it provides clearly defined guardrails as to what needs to be achieved per digital capability and helps measure and track this in a simple but effective way.
- Enables continuous Improvement - it supports continuous learning and improvement, to regularly reflect on progress and to adjust approaches to achieve improved outcomes.
- It is adaptable (customizable) - whilst structured, the generic DMAS model can be customized or augmented, to suit any NSB’s specific requirements.
- Supports digital transformation training & coaching – it assists in providing focused digital transformation training and certification, against the appropriate digital capabilities.
DMAS model framework
The DMAS model is divided into interconnected elements to make the assessment process easier to understand. Figure 1 shows the structure of the DMAS, highlighting the main phases of the assessment process and its key deliverables and outcomes.
Figure 1 – DMAS model framework
Key items of the DMAS model framework
1. Digital transformation journey pyramid
The path to digital transformation is not a single step, but a structured and iterative journey, which builds on foundational capabilities to deliver sustainable value. Figure 2 illustrates the progression of this journey, where each layer represents a critical phase in the evolution of digital maturity. It is worth mentioning that reaching the end state of true transformation depends on the strength and integration of the foundational layers. Skipping or underinvesting in these building blocks can lead to misalignment, unsustainable efforts and missed opportunities.
Figure 2 – Digital transformation journey pyramid
2. Digital transformation maturity assessment & improvement methodology (DXIM)
The DXIM underpins the DMAS process, which is pragmatic and informed by academic rigour and industry best practices. Figure 3 provides an overview of the sequence of applied methods that drive the DMAS process.
Figure 3 – Digital maturity assessment and improvement methodology (DXIM)
3. DMAS process phases
The DMAS process involves four high-level phases, namely:
- Understand and Orientate
- Assess and Steer
- Plan
- Implement and Measure
Figure 4 displays the DMAS process steps for each phase.
The DMAS model was aligned with the ISO SMART value deliverables, giving ISO members clear visibility of the ISO SMART programme as they strengthen their digital capabilities.
Further information can be found in the DMAS publication.
Figure 4 - DMAS process phases and steps
What is the ISO DMQS model?
The Digital Maturity Quick Scan (DMQS) model was developed to lower the entry barrier for NSB’s to measure and benchmark their digital maturity.
It allows NSBs to get a quick snapshot of their digital maturity, to initiate strategic conversations and to justify further investment.
The DMQS model summarizes the core concepts of the Digital Capability Maturity Assessment for Strategy Development (DMAS) model into a concise, self-service tool that can be completed far quicker, while still aligning methodologically with the more detailed DMAS model.
The output from a DMQS assessment can also easily be fed into a subsequent DMAS deep-dive engagement, should an NSB seek more detailed, context-rich guidance to align their digital transformation with their broader organizational strategy.
DMQS model deliverables
The DMQS model has one primary deliverable which points out priority development areas and key actions and drivers per Business Model Component, to be pursued by the NSB. This is visualized in a digital maturity Radar Chart.
Key benefits
The key benefits of applying the generic DMQS model are as follows:
- Visualizes a quick snapshot of an NSB’s digital maturity to:
- initiate strategic NSB conversations, and
- to justify further investment by the NSB to further improve their digital maturity
- Can be used on a regular basis to gauge an NSB’s digital transformation maturity.
- Provides high-level guidelines per business model component as to what the NSB should concentrate on to improve their digital maturity.
DMQS model framework
Figure 1 is an infographic that simplifies the DMQS model by breaking it down into interconnected items so users can smoothly navigate the process. It highlights the main phases of the assessment process and its key outputs and outcomes.
Figure 1 – DMQS model framework
Key items of the DMQS model framework
1. Digital transformation journey pyramid
Digital transformation is a structured, iterative process that progresses through critical phases of digital maturity (see Figure 2). Achieving true transformation depends on strong foundational layers and neglecting them can lead to misalignment and missed opportunities.
Figure 2 – Digital transformation journey pyramid
2. Digital transformation concepts utilized by the DMQS model
The DMQS model utilizes the concepts mentioned in Figure 3 to assess the maturity of an NSB's digital transformation and suggest guidelines for improvement.
3. DMQS process phases
The DMQS process involves four phases, namely:
- Mobilize and Align
- Capture and Validate
- Analysis
- Debrief and Next Steps
Figure 4 displays the DMQS process steps for each phase. You can find detailed information in the DMQS publication.
