Evaluation and development of selection criteria to guide organizational selection of a project management maturity model

Organizations wishing to measurably and continuously improve processes often look towards maturity models, such as OPM3 and CMMI, as their panacea. However, selecting the wrong model for the organizations goals and resources can result in project failure. This study, focusing on OPM3 and CMMI, proposes a guidance tool that can help organizations select the right maturity model. The study is framed in the state government context due to the complexity and relative insularity of that environment. In addition to being a limited based, state governments have several limiters that factor into project selection, namely budget and taxpayer transparency. Using several core methods of technology selection, best practices from business process improvement, and the OPM3 and CMMI-Services models, this paper reviews these components to identify what elements of a Project Management Maturity Model project could assist prospective government agencies in selecting a model that is appropriate to their situation and goals. The study identifies several factors, outside of the maturity models themselves that have effect on the outcome of the maturity model project itself. These factors should be taken into consideration by project sponsors early on in the project's conception. Failure to do so risks selection of an inappropriate model, or one that exceeds the budget of the governmental organization. Finally, the selection questionnaire presented is intended to provide guidance regarding the purposes and functionalities of the OPM3 and CMMI-Services maturity models. Additionally, specific project success factors are framed in such as way as to generate additional discussion within the organization. These additional questions are intended to provide talking points related to the maturity model project in general, rather than for a specific model. In this way, the government organization can accurately reflect on and plan their Project Management Maturity Model project.