A criterion is a standard or principle by which something can be evaluated or assessed relating to a maturity model. Criteria provide the core building blocks for a maturity model, defining the key elements or capabilities that can be measured and improved. They represent the areas of focus that allow an organization to benchmark and evolve its maturity in a structured way.
The Core Tenets of Criterion
- Reflects a capability or practice that impacts performance or effectiveness about the goals of a maturity model
- Provides a standard for measurement and assessment on a maturity scale
- Enables benchmarking and goal-setting to drive improvement
- Must be meaningful, observable, and actionable
- Should link to organizational outcomes and objectives
Why Criterion is Important to Business Consultants
Criteria form the foundation of any maturity model.
As business consultants developing customized maturity models for clients, choosing the right criteria is essential. They determine the model’s scope and focus, driving data collection, assessment, and improvement planning. Well-defined criteria that connect to strategic priorities and desired outcomes help gain leadership buy-in.
They provide a shared language around capabilities to facilitate executive alignment. Concise, outcome-oriented criteria also enable effective measurement using surveys, benchmarks, and metrics to capture maturity levels. Finally, actionable criteria allow consultants to guide clients through continuous improvement.
With clearly articulated capabilities to develop, organizations can more easily set targets, make investment decisions, and implement changes to increase their maturity.
Example of Criterion in Use
- A manufacturing firm creates a quality management maturity model with criteria including defect tracking, process control, and corrective action processes. By assessing and improving against these criteria, they improve product quality.
- A software company includes security criteria like access controls, encryption, and vulnerability management in their IT security maturity model. Enhancing these capabilities allows them to reduce cyber risk.
- A bank incorporates risk management criteria into its operational risk maturity model like risk identification, measurement, and reporting. Doing so strengthens their risk oversight and governance.
Criterion Synonyms
- Standard: A criterion serves as a standard for measurement and capability.
- Characteristic: A defining characteristic used to assess and improve maturity.
- Attribute: An attribute or property that is evaluated as part of a maturity assessment.
- Component: An essential component that makes up part of a maturity model framework.
- Factor: A factor used to evaluate and rate maturity in relation to a model.
Criterion Antonyms
- Variable: A criterion is a fixed standard, not a variable element.
- Output: A criterion is an input for evaluation, not an output of a process.
- Method: A criterion defines what to assess, not how to assess.
- Metric: A criterion is qualitative, unlike a quantitative metric.
- Technology: A criterion describes capabilities, not technologies.
Other Closely-Related Terms
- Maturity: The extent to which criteria are fulfilled, often rated on a scale.
- Indicator: Measurable evidence that shows progress against a criterion.
- Capability: The ability to execute practices related to a criterion.
- Competency: The knowledge, skills and behaviours needed for a criterion.
- Benchmark: A desired target state for a criterion to reach