Defining project management maturity level when establishing project management office

Abstract

The purpose of the present Master’s thesis is to study the characteristics of project management maturity models and find the most appropriate model to measure the maturity level in a case company where project management office is just established. The study discovers the current state of project management maturity and gives suggestions for further development. Theoretical review of the study shows that there are several project management maturity models on the market. They are fundamentally similar but vary in size, complexity, and genericity. Almost all of them have a five-level scale defining the stage of maturity. The level one indicates low maturity, whereas the fifth level means ideal project management. Measuring maturity reveals strengths and weaknesses in project management and helps to identify areas for improvement. The desired level of maturity depends on the company’s business and needs.

Project management maturity of the case company is measured by conducting a self assessment designed based on the literature and needs of the commissioned company. For the analysis, the data is gathered by conducting the questionnaire. The result of the survey shows that the maturity level of the case company in April 2023 is 2,04 out of five. The analysis indicates that the company has lowest maturity in project risk management, project quality management, questions concerning instructions or training and utilizing lessons learned. The thesis presents possibly actions to increase project management maturity for level two or three depending on the area. The questionnaire or a similar one is suggested to use again in the future to measure the progress.