Latest developments aiming an integrated management systems tool focusing maturity assessment

Integrated management systems (IMS) widespread among companies due to the release, by international entities, of management sub-systems implementation standards. The integration level achieved by the IMS varies from company to company. Rating the integration level is crucial information. Maturity models have been implemented in several business, product development and in management sub-systems context in order to guide the company to an ultimate excellence level. An IMS maturity model development is, currently, aimed by researchers and a real need in companies. It is intended in this paper to report the efforts that are being made and the methodologies that are being followed to develop such a model. Additionally, it is also intended to present a preliminary model version.