Asset management maturity in public infrastructure: the case of Rijkswaterstaat

In times of restructuring governmental policies and resources, the need for strategic asset management is growing. Maturity models offer organisations a structure to assist them in improving their asset management performance. We present the results of a repeated maturity measurement based on the infrastructure management maturity matrix (IM3) in Rijkswaterstaat, a Dutch public infrastructure organisation. The IM3 distinguishes five maturity levels from ad hoc to optimised, and seven asset management dimensions: information management, internal coordination, external coordination, market approach, risk management, processes and roles, and culture and leadership. The results show significant progress on all dimensions, and continued learning and widespread awareness of asset management in the organisation. In the discussion, we reflect on the findings and possible future developments for the organisation. We also discuss the potential impact of infrastructure maturity models for the professionalisation of other asset intensive organisations.