Take stock
Do we know where we want to go?
- Focus
- Strategy, plan, policy
- Avg. lead time to level 5
- 3 - 6 months
Model
Sustainable Maturity Model
From ambition to sustainable value creation
The Sustainable Maturity Model is the growth model Firm of the Future uses to measure how deeply sustainability is embedded in an organisation. It brings together five parts of the business - strategy, data, delivery, steering and people - and maps them against five levels of maturity.
That shows at a glance where your organisation stands today, where you want to go and which step logically follows. The model is the basis of our approach: from a first footprint to a CSRD report and a culture in which working sustainably is self-evident.
Because all five parts begin with an i in Dutch, the model is known as the 5-i model.
The five levels
From a first ambition on paper to sustainability woven into leadership, behaviour and decision-making.
- Level 1
Starting
Laying the basis
- Level 2
Developing
Planning and setting up
- Level 3
Integrating
Connecting and delivering
- Level 4
Embedding
Securing and optimising
- Level 5
Interwoven
Sustainable culture
The five i's
Each part answers a question of its own. Together they tell you whether an organisation knows where it is going, knows where it stands, does the right things, delivers demonstrable value and has the people to keep it up.
Insight
Do we know where we stand?
- Focus
- Data and measurement
- Avg. lead time to level 5
- 6 months - 3 years (depending on data maturity)
Implementation
Are we doing the right things?
- Focus
- Delivery and innovation
- Avg. lead time to level 5
- 2 - 5 years (depending on board attention)
Impact
Are we delivering demonstrable value?
- Focus
- Steering and reporting
- Avg. lead time to level 5
- from 5 years (continuous improvement)
Effort
Are our people and organisation equipped for the transformation?
- Focus
- Competencies, leadership, culture & governance
- Avg. lead time to level 5
- ongoing
Determine your own level
With the Sustainable Maturity Model, you map out in five levels where your organisation stands today and where you want to go.
Select your current level and your ambition for each area. You will immediately see where the biggest development opportunities lie and which next steps suit your organisation.
Your data stays entirely in your browser and is not shared with us.
Fill in for
0 of 25 steps reached
How mature is your organisation? The 5-i Sustainable Maturity Model
Focus
Avg. lead time to level 5
Level 1 Starting
Level 2 Developing
Level 3 Integrating
Level 4 Embedding
Level 5 Interwoven
1. TAKE STOCK Do we know where we want to go?
2. INSIGHT Do we know where we stand?
3. IMPLEMENTATION Are we doing the right things?
4. IMPACT Are we delivering demonstrable value?
5. EFFORT Are our people and organisation equipped for the transformation?
Where does your organisation stand?
– / 5
Not yet determined Click in the matrix to set the current level per step
- Take stock –
- Insight –
- Implementation –
- Impact –
- Effort –
Frequently asked questions
What is the Sustainable Maturity Model?
The Sustainable Maturity Model is a growth model for sustainable value creation, developed by Firm of the Future. It measures across five levels how deeply sustainability is embedded in an organisation's strategy, data, delivery, steering and culture.
Which five parts make up the model?
Inventory (strategy, plan and policy), Insight (data and measurement), Implementation (delivery and innovation), Impact (steering and reporting) and Input (competences, leadership, culture and governance). Hence the name 5-i model.
What are the five levels?
Level 1 Starting, level 2 Developing, level 3 Integrating, level 4 Embedding and level 5 Interwoven. At level 5 sustainability is no longer a separate programme but part of how the organisation works.
How long does it take to reach level 5?
That differs per part. Strategy and policy are often in place within three to six months, full insight into the data takes six months to three years, implementation two to five years and demonstrable impact from five years on. Competences and culture are continuous work.
Can I measure where my organisation stands myself?
Yes. With the self-scan on this page you set your current level and your ambition for each part and download the result as a PDF. Your answers stay in your browser and are not shared with us.
What does a maturity assessment cost?
The self-scan is free. If you would like to go through the outcome with us and turn it into a roadmap, we do that from CSO as a Service or as a separate assignment. Get in touch for a proposal.
Walk through the model together?
We test the scan, fill in the blind spots and turn the outcome into a roadmap with priorities, owners and a planning.
