Maturity model
DEFINITION: A set of characteristics, attributes, indicators, or patterns that represent progression and achievement in a particular domain or discipline. The artifacts that make up the model are typically agreed upon by the domain or discipline and are validated through application and iterative recalibration.
SOURCE: Caralli, R., Knight, M. and Montgomery, A. (2012) Maturity Models 101: A Primer for Applying Maturity Models to Smart Grid Security, Resilience, and Interoperability. Software Engineering Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, USA.
HYPERLINK: http://resources.sei.cmu.edu/asset_files/WhitePaper/2012_019_001_58920.pdf