Strategy
20th July 2024
8 min read
Stu Mason
The Automation Maturity Model: Where Does Your Company Sit?
Understanding your automation maturity is the first step to unlocking real business value. Here's how to benchmark—and what to do next.
Stu Mason
Automation expert • Sony, Paddle, Pfizer • 15 years experience • AWS certified
Most companies think they're "doing automation"—but few know where they really stand. Here's how to find out, and why it matters.
The Four Stages
- Manual-First: Most work is manual, ad hoc, and error-prone
- Ad Hoc Automation: Some scripts or tools, but no strategy
- Systematic Automation: Processes mapped, automation is planned and measured
- Automation-First: Automation is the default, with continuous improvement
Case Example: SaaS Scale-up
A SaaS company moved from ad hoc to systematic automation in 6 months, cutting manual hours by 60% and doubling project throughput.
Insider Insight
You can't skip stages. Each one builds the foundation for the next.
Pitfalls
- Assuming you're further along than you are
- Skipping documentation and measurement
Visuals
- Maturity Model Ladder Diagram
- Before/After Manual Hours Chart
- Sample Automation Roadmap
Conclusion
Knowing your maturity level is the fastest way to plan your next move—and avoid wasted effort.
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