The 6 Generations of Digital Maturity is based on Pernille Kræmmergaard's research over the past 25+ years and our practical experience from companies and organizations. The framework has evolved from its original two generations. In line with digital and technological developments, Generation 3 was added in the late 2000s, Generation 4 in 2016, Generation 5 in 2019 and most recently Generation 6 in 2024.
The figure to the right shows the 6 generations. At the bottom step, Generation 1, it's mostly about powering workflows and processes. At the top step, Generation 6, organizations and companies are working to develop and offer transparent and traceable products and services to end-customers and business partners, while remaining personalized and proactive, and enabling customers to “bring and own” their own data.
The generations in the figure are depicted as a staircase to illustrate that each new step builds on the previous one. At each step there are new things to learn and new opportunities and challenges. At the same time, an organization will typically be on several steps simultaneously.
Where are you today?
And where do you want to be?
It may sound simple, but you can only succeed if you have an overview of your current digital maturity and clear strategic ambitions and goals. This framework supports that effort.
We recommend using DI2X Tools to measure your current digital maturity and identify your focus areas now and in the coming years.
Apply the Digital Maturity Tool to uncover the 6 generations of digital maturity in your organization.
If you are curious if our Tools are relevant for you and your organization, you can try the DI2X Tools.
Each generation represents a distinct management practice and digital mindset, and each generation places different demands on management.
A digital mindset is the ability to lead and demonstrate an understanding of the strategic, technological, organizational and leadership changes that are necessary at all times to contribute constructively to an organization's continued digital maturation.
An organization that has made it all the way to Generation 6 and has the organizational capabilities that this interim top step requires - and few do - will still need some of what it has learned in Generations 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. But the digital mindset will be different.
You can map your own digital mindset with the DI2X Tools Digital Mindset Profile.
If you are curious if our tools are relevant for you and your organization, you can try the DI2X Tools.
Local and Self-Service
In Generation 1, the purpose is to reduce costs by digitizing analog documents and manual processes and by enabling customers and citizens to serve themselves. Digital solutions are introduced locally without coordination, creating a siloed IT landscape with a lack of shared data and overview. The leader’s task is to identify digitization opportunities, set clear requirements for solutions, and ensure that employees use the systems so that the benefits are realized.
Efficient and Standardized
In Generation 2, the purpose of digital technologies is to streamline, standardize, and integrate processes and systems across the organization. Local solutions are replaced by shared, centralized systems that create transparency and enable better use of internal data. Leaders are responsible for IT systems, common standards, and ensuring that implementation realizes the expected benefits through active change management.
Problem-Solving and Relevant
In Generation 3, the organization uses digital technologies to develop new products and services or to deliver existing solutions in new ways. There is an increasing focus on customer experience, with a more outside-in perspective, while digital technologies are integrated into development work. Leaders must develop new competencies and a digital mindset, increase digital maturity, and make transformative changes meaningful for employees.
Business Perspective and Ecosystems
In Generation 4, the organization has a clear, long-term vision and uses digital technologies to meet end-user needs in a coherent way. The development of products, processes, and services is based on value for the end user and takes place within ecosystems of equal partners, where data quality and secure data processing are business-critical. Data gains independent business value, and leaders drive new business models by clarifying their own core contribution, partner roles, and strategically important collaborations.
Personalized and Proactive
In Generation 5, the organization uses data analytics and artificial intelligence as an integrated part of its core mission to create personalized and proactive services that prevent problems for customers and end users. Artificial intelligence acts as a co-player and enables both support for employees’ assessments and automated decision-making, which changes roles and competency requirements. Leaders must ensure a clear purpose for the technologies, establish data ethics frameworks, and drive professional and organizational transformation.
Transparent and Eco-Conscious
In Generation 6, the organization develops and delivers transparent and traceable products and services, where customers own and control their own data, for example through decentralized data wallets and blockchain. Collaboration takes place in ecosystems and value-driven eco-communities with a focus on integrity, transparency, and compliance with both current and future requirements. Leaders apply and document sustainability and responsible conduct as an active strategic driver and as a differentiating parameter.
What you have just seen is a brief introduction to the 6 Generations of Digital Maturity, based on Pernille Kræmmergaard's academic research and practical experience.
The framework is described more in depth in the book “Mind the Gap. Digital Maturation - Your leadership responsibility”.
You can read more about the first five generations in the book "Digital Maturity - Strategy, Technology, Organization and Leadership in 5 Generations".
The book is intended as a user guide for managers at all levels.
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It might also be relevant for you to use our Online Tools to measure your current digital maturity.
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