Being able to think critically is an essential skill for both individuals and organizations. Or, better said, anyone needs to be able to discern through disconnected pieces of information and separate the truth from nonsense.

Critical thinking isn’t just for differentiating genuine from fake, though. Both an individual and an organization need it to make an entire range of (accurate) decisions. Should you accept a new job or keep the one you have? Should you expand your market, and risk your financial stability, or wait until things stabilize? Such decisions, and many similar others, are difficult and important, so having the ability to think critically about them will have a significant impact on the outcome.

For instance, as an organization, deciding whether to advance your maturity level from 4 to 5 in performance management system recalibration presents a similar challenge.

Big decision - lots of things to get in line, lots of resources to be deployed and lots of work for the financial department to restructure their daily/monthly routines as some processes / capabilities gain priority over others, therefore requiring budget modifications.

But first things first: what exactly is a Maturity Level?

A maturity level represents a stage of development or proficiency within a particular process, capability, or system. It reflects how effectively an organization performs and manages a specific area, typically evaluated using a predefined framework or model.

Experience showed us that companies perform best when they focus on a manageable number of process areas at a time and understand that, even those improvement decision they make are only temporary as the moment the company achieves a desired level of evolution, a new level of refinement will be needed.

A maturity level is a defined evolutionary plateau for organizational process improvement. Each maturity level prepares an important subset of recommendations/initiatives to move to the next level. The maturity levels are achieved once an organization successfully meets the criteria and benchmarks associated with each stage of development

Maturity Level 4 or 5?

While many organizations can achieve Level 3 in performance management system implementation and recalibration within a relatively short timeframe, advancing to Levels 4 and 5 typically demands greater time, effort, and financial resources. Organizations at Level 3 maturity are defined by having a well-structured performance management system architecture in place, effectively supporting strategy articulation and monitoring. However, this system often lacks full cascading to lower organizational levels. When cascading is achieved, further improvements are typically needed to enhance the quality of tools, refine processes, and optimize the developed procedures to drive more effective outcomes.

Achieving maturity Level 4 and ultimately Level 5 requires demonstrating a strong corporate identity, the effective utilization of performance management tools and adequate system governance, consistent strategy review processes, and well-planned communication initiatives. There is high transparency related to strategic directions and high alignment between different hierarchical levels. Business Intelligence tools are commonly used for reporting, which makes the decision-making process relatively fast and accurate. At this stage, organizations invest in technology and in the well-being of their employees. The working environment is stimulating and manages to leverage individual talent. Highly motivated employees benefit from considerable autonomy, which nurtures innovation within the entity.

▶ Level 4 attributes

Let’s start with this: at level 4, all elements of organizational identity are established, a few improvements may be necessary to achieve the "state of the art" vision, mission and values. Corporate identity is more than just a marketing instrument, it is a reflection of what is important for the organization, it is internalized. At maturity 4, organizations are characterized by a prominent performance-oriented culture.

A structured approach towards selecting Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) is observed. KPI selection criteria are clearly defined and commonly agreed by all stakeholders. KPI selection tools and techniques are gradually enacting the KPI Selection process.

Usually, the process of setting targets for KPIs is becoming increasingly comprehensive, by means of data sourcing, market data comparison and benchmarking.

It is common for organizations with this maturity level to use statistical analysis of data in order to get more meaningful information for decision making.

Performance review meetings are well-organized events, effectively conducted with a focus on finding root-causes and identifying corrective actions.

The performance culture relies on effective communication that reaches all internal and external stakeholders. There is a strong culture of learning and improvement, which captures innovative ideas.

Employee performance evaluations are aligned to the entity's strategy and performance is stimulated through a combination of financial and non-financial rewards. Investments are made to constantly improve the quality of the working environment and employee engagement.

Level 5

Motivated and driven by a determination to keep progressing, at this level, the organizations not only embody a fully internalized and refined corporate identity but also consistently exemplifies a culture of excellence, innovation, and adaptability. Vision, mission, and values are seamlessly integrated into daily operations and decision-making processes, creating a cohesive and resilient organizational ecosystem.

▶ Level 5 attributes

The organization's corporate identity is a reference point when developing strategies and taking actions. Corporate values influence employees' behaviors.

The organizations use all of the instruments required by the latest best practices to effectively monitor strategy implementation and ensure alignment between different organizational levels.

Organizations have the ability to easily adapt to market changes in due time, given the adequacy of the strategy review frequency.

A state-of-the-art KPI selection process is utilized within the organization. All selected KPIs are fully aligned to the strategic objectives or relevant for a specific area of activity. Extensive research guides the decisions on monitoring the most relevant KPI set.

The target setting process ensures relevant desired performance levels, which trigger positive behaviors from employees. Targets are connected to an effective reward system which motivates all employees as it is active in all areas of the entity. Most likely the target setting process is flexible and transparent.

There is a high interest in data visualization. Usually, the visualization of data transcends the traditional approaches (infographics, interactive graphs).

At this maturity level, the organization relies on predictive analytics for decision making and an integrated ERP system is used.

Initiatives management is a strong capability in the organization facilitating the delivery of projects in due time, in budget and in accordance with the pre-defined output standards. Most likely, there is also a Business Intelligence software solution used.

All key stakeholders are actively involved in driving organizational performance by both monitoring the achievement of strategic objectives while focusing on learning and continuous improvement.

Both hardware and software solutions are used to ensure transparency of KPI results and decisions taken. As a consequence, there is high awareness in regard to the current performance level among employees even from the first line.

Organizations at maturity level 5 have highly motivated employees that are rewarded and recognized based on performance. The bonus system is comprehensive, and rewarding is based on multiple performance components.

We have a lot of information on the table at this point - it’s time to answer the main question:

“Is reaching maturity level 5 always necessary or is level 4 enough for Performance Management Systems?”

While Level 4 can be sufficient for many organizations to achieve robust and effective Performance Management Systems, Level 5 represents a state of continuous innovation and optimization, often suitable for highly dynamic or competitive environments.

For organizations operating in relatively stable industries with predictable market dynamics, Level 4 already provides adequate capabilities to sustain success.

Organizations in rapidly changing or highly competitive industries may need the agility and innovation that come with Level 5. Enterprises aiming for global leadership often benefit from continuous refinement and excellence at this level. In industries where customer experience, adaptability, or cutting-edge innovation is crucial, Level 5 ensures sustained leadership and adaptability.

Ultimately, reaching Level 5 is a matter of organizational ambition. While Level 4 provides a strong foundation for effective performance management, Level 5 enables organizations to sustain excellence and adapt to future challenges proactively.

Basically, improving your business maturity level from 4 to 5 is highly recommended and it makes a lot of business sense. But if things are rushed, there are always good chances to fall short of achieving the desired outcomes. Rushing the process often leads to incomplete implementations, overlooked details, and a lack of buy-in from key stakeholders. This can result in inefficiencies, misaligned objectives, and even setbacks that require additional resources and time to correct.

The journey from Level 4 to Level 5 should be approached methodically, ensuring that all necessary capabilities, tools, and cultural shifts are in place to support sustainable growth. Taking the time to build a solid foundation will maximize the benefits and ensure long-term success at the highest level of maturity.

If you'd like a simple real-world analogy, imagine asking a 10-year-old to operate a chainsaw and expect them to do so without harm. Can the child understand the concept, the steps to use the chainsaw, and the ultimate goal? Sure! But is it a wise idea to let them handle such equipment? Absolutely not! The child lacks the necessary maturity and experience to use it safely and effectively.

The better approach is to allow time for growth and learning, ensuring they develop the maturity and skills required for the task. Only then should they be given access to the tools and a clear understanding of the desired outcome.

The takeaway? Progressing from Level 4 to Level 5 is a decision that must be made carefully, considering each organization’s unique context. Advancing to Level 5 offers significant benefits, but achieving those requires a thorough self-assessment and a realistic timeline. Success lies in thoughtful preparation and a readiness to embrace the responsibilities that come with higher levels of maturity.

If you’re interested in learning how maturity assessments can help your organization progress to the next maturity level, head to our LinkedIn page and access exclusive resources and data.