Where Are You on the Ed Tech Maturity Curve?

Ed tech maturity models can help institutions map progress and make smarter tech decisions.

• By Amy Weiss
• 12/18/25

Across higher education, a growing number of institutions recognize the need for tech transformation, but many don't know where to begin. The tools might be in place. The intentions are there. Yet leaders often struggle to pinpoint where their current infrastructure stands and what specific steps to take next.

That's where ed tech maturity models come in. When used well, they act like diagnostic tools. They help institutions move from reaction to intention, offering a shared framework to assess progress, identify gaps, and chart a clear course forward. And in an era of tight budgets, shifting student demographics, and rising expectations around digital experiences, that kind of clarity is crucial — especially for institutions still figuring out how to implement ed tech at universities in a way that scales.

Early Red Flags that Signal a Stalled Foundation

I've worked with institutions at every stage of ed tech maturity, and certain red flags appear again and again: manual processes that rely on homegrown workarounds; siloed systems that don't talk to each other; teams that use spreadsheets to do what existing systems should be automating. These signs carry real costs in time, resources, and student trust.

In these early-stage environments, you'll often find low adoption rates, minimal training investments, and a reactive mindset: one problem, one tool, no long-term plan. Tech decisions are often handed off to IT, and leadership may struggle to interpret the data they already have. This leads to fragmented reporting, missed enrollment signals, and overworked staff stuck bridging gaps between disconnected systems.

When that happens, student engagement suffers. Frustrated users (both staff and students) lose trust in the system. Opportunities for early intervention fall through the cracks. And as the landscape shifts, institutions stuck in these early phases often find themselves unable to adapt at scale.

Progress Isn't Linear, But It Can Be Mapped

The good news? Institutions don't have to overhaul everything overnight. A crawl-walk-run approach is not only more sustainable but also more likely to succeed. And it starts with being honest about where you are.

The ed tech maturity matrix I use outlines five stages, from ad hoc to transformative. At Stage 1, decisions are reactive and uncoordinated. By Stage 3, systems are integrated and analytics are informing decision-making. Stage 5 represents a true culture of innovation, with seamless user experiences and data-driven workflows that align with institutional strategy.

Wherever your institution falls within the matrix , the goal is to take intentional steps forward, linking near-term improvements with long-term strategy:

Short-Term (6–12 Months)

• Establish a cross-functional committee that includes leadership, faculty, staff, students, and IT.
• Define tech goals that support operations, student outcomes, teaching, and strategic planning, not just IT needs.
• Audit existing systems, platforms, licenses, and manual processes to identify redundancies, underuse, or lack of integration.
• Focus on immediate wins, such as eliminating duplicate tools and reducing manual lift.

Mid-Term (1–2 Years)

• Develop a phased implementation roadmap aligned to institutional priorities.
• Identify strategic vendor partners for future system-wide changes.
• Establish a data governance framework with representation from IT, academic affairs, student services, and institutional research.
• Begin grant searches to support technology investments.
• Launch campus-wide training on data literacy, access protocols, naming conventions, and use of dashboards and predictive analytics.

Long-Term (3–5 Years and Ongoing)

• Build a multiyear tech budget that includes funding for staff development and change management.
• Fully transition to integrated enterprise systems that provide a seamless user experience, such as a higher education CRM and analytics tool.
• Maintain a continuous improvement cycle with scheduled ecosystem and data reviews.
• Conduct regular security and compliance audits.
• Align annual tech strategy reviews with broader institutional goals.

Overcoming Cultural Barriers to Ed Tech Transformation

Cultural dynamics are among the most persistent challenges in ed tech transformation. Departments often operate in silos, with competing priorities and different levels of tech fluency. Quick fixes win out over strategic planning. And without shared ownership, tech is too easily seen as someone else's job.

Here are strategies that help drive alignment and build lasting buy-in:

• Make student success the anchor for every tech conversation. Frame every technology investment around its potential to improve student outcomes, whether that's enrollment, retention, advising, or classroom engagement. When tools are seen as enablers of success, they become more relevant across departments.
• Build bridges, not silos. Form relationships across campus early. Identify champions in academic affairs, student services, and other non-IT departments who can help translate ed tech benefits into everyday wins. Peer advocates often carry more influence than top-down mandates.
• Be the willing pilot. Offer to pilot new tools or platforms within your department. Successful small-scale implementations can build trust and serve as models for broader adoption.
• Normalize iteration over perfection. Reinforce that ed tech transformation isn't an immediate, one-time fix but a cycle of learning and adaptation. By celebrating progress, being transparent about challenges, and inviting feedback, you build a culture that's open to evolving.

Why Maturity Models Require the Right Partners

While maturity models help institutions make smarter internal decisions, they also make the case for external investment. Whether you're seeking strategic vendor partnerships or VC funding, a clear understanding of your current stage, challenges, and next steps builds confidence.

These models provide a shared language for framing needs and tracking ROI. They allow teams to show, not just tell, how their technology roadmap supports strategic enrollment management, retention, and student success. And for vendors or funders evaluating alignment, it signals seriousness: This institution isn't chasing trends; it's planning a transformation.

From Where You Are to What's Possible

No maturity model can solve every challenge. But it can provide a path forward, one that helps institutions stop guessing and start building. With the right mindset, a shared roadmap, and a willingness to start where you are, ed tech transformation becomes a practical and achievable path forward.

Institutions that invest in advanced enrollment management technology, inclusive planning, and a data-informed culture now will be far better positioned to serve the students of today and tomorrow.