About P3M3

Background

The Portfolio, Programme & Project Management Maturity Model (P3M3™) described in this document is an enhanced version of the Project Management Maturity Model, which was itself based on the process maturity framework that evolved into the Software Engineering Institute's (SEI) Capability Maturity Model (CMM). The SEI experience between 1986-91 indicated that maturity questionnaires provide a simple tool for identifying areas where an organization's processes may need improvement, but unfortunately the questionnaire was too often regarded as 'the model' rather than as a vehicle for exploring process maturity issues.

It was concluded that the development of a descriptive reference model would be beneficial in providing organizations with more effective guidance for establishing process improvement programmes. It may also be used as the foundation for systematically building a set of tools, including a maturity questionnaire. The key point is that the model, not a questionnaire, is the basis for improving portfolio, programme and project management processes.

What is P3M3?

The P3M3 contains three models that enable independent assessment. There are no interdependencies between the models, so an organization may be better at programme management than it is at project management, for example. The models are:

• Portfolio Management (PfM3)
• Programme Management (PgM3)
• Project Management (PjM3).

Structure of P3M3

Similar to the SEI-CMM, the Portfolio, Programme & Project Management Maturity Model (P3M3) is described by a five level maturity framework. These levels constitute the structural components that comprise the P3M3.

• Level 1 - awareness of process
• Level 2 - repeatable process
• Level 3 - defined process
• Level 4 - managed process
• Level 5 - optimized process.

Download the P3M3 Maturity Model itself from the Publications area, or download the P3M3 Brochure here (pdf - 1.9MB).