The Continuous Improvement Maturity Model (CIMM) provides insight into the organisation’s current position and the best approach.
CIMM combines all best practices from Kaizen, Lean, Six Sigma, and Organisational Development into one coherent maturity model. This allows you to gradually build an organisation where continuous improvement is not a project, but a way of working.
The CIMM assessment helps organisations gain insight into their current position. This insight is then used to develop the right improvement strategy. This involves direction, project selection, and organisation. CIMM helps when you want to understand where the organisation stands and what an improvement plan looks like.
5S that fades after a few months; Lean projects that get bogged down; Six Sigma initiatives that stop after the first wave of Green Belts,
Often, it’s not the methodology, but the fact that the organisation wasn’t ready for it yet. CIMM helps you choose the right approach.
Production has been working with Lean for years, but support still lacks standardised processes. Quality uses Six Sigma, but operations doesn’t understand the statistics. CIMM maps out where each part of the organisation stands and what the best development path is for each department.
You aspire to achieve operational excellence but don’t know where to start. CIMM provides a clear roadmap with five levels, from laying the foundation to future-proof processes. Each step builds on the previous one.
Investments are made in training, consultants, and tools, but the business case is unclear. This is often because methodologies are applied that do not suit the current maturity level. CIMM prevents you from skipping steps or moving too quickly.
Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, TPM, and RPA are different methodologies with different terminology. CIMM integrates them into one framework, so everyone understands the direction and approach.
CIMM examines maturity from two reinforcing perspectives. Both are necessary to make real progress.
The process side examines the various methods and techniques from the field of continuous improvement. It assesses whether certain methods are known at all, and to what extent they are applied and embedded. Five levels are distinguished within the CIMM maturity model.
Methodologies only work if the organisation can support them. This perspective looks at customer value, strategy, leadership, attitude & behaviour, and competencies. An organisation that is technically at Level III but culturally at Level I will not achieve sustainable results.
Assessing both sides creates a realistic picture of where you stand and what is needed to grow. Not just in tools, but also in mindset and culture.
Do you want to know your organisation’s maturity level (CIMM level)? Do you want to know what an improvement organisation looks like? Do you need help developing a well-founded improvement strategy? Then schedule a no-obligation consultation with one of our senior consultants. We will explore together where your organisation stands and how CIMM helps to improve in a structured way.