Pillar 1: Strategic Alignment Maturity Assessment

This maturity assessment tool is designed to help educational institutions evaluate their current state of AI governance in terms of strategic alignment with their overall mission values and educational objectives. The assessment covers the key components of Pillar 1 of the SAGE-AI Framework.

Who Should Participate?

This assessment should be completed by a cross-functional team including:

  • Senior leadership (e.g. President, Provost, CIO)
  • Strategic planning officers
  • AI/IT leadership
  • Representatives from academic affairs and student services

How to Use This Assessment

Read each question carefully and select the answer that best describes your institution's current state. Be honest in your responses to get an accurate picture of your institution's maturity level. After completing the assessment, use the scoring guide to calculate your overall maturity level for Pillar 1. If you are completing multiple pillar assessments, transfer your score into the master score sheet.

Assessment Questions

  1. Do you have an AI Vision and Mission Statement? (No, Partially Implemented, Fully Implemented)
  2. Have you developed a Strategic AI Roadmap? (No, Partially Implemented, Fully Implemented)
  3. Is there a clear AI Leadership and Oversight Structure in place? (No, Partially Implemented, Fully Implemented)
  4. Have you created a Stakeholder Engagement Plan for AI initiatives? (No, Partially Implemented, Fully Implemented)
  5. Is there an AI Investment Prioritization Framework in use? (No, Partially Implemented, Fully Implemented)
  6. Have you implemented an AI Impact Measurement System? (No, Partially Implemented, Fully Implemented)
  7. Is there a regular AI Strategy Review Process in place? (No, Partially Implemented, Fully Implemented)
  8. Is your institution prepared to adapt its AI strategy in response to emerging trends and technological advancements? (No, Partially Implemented, Fully Implemented)

Scoring

For each question:

  • No = 0 points
  • Partially Implemented = 1 point
  • Fully Implemented = 2 points

Interpretation of Results

Based on your total score, your institution's maturity level can be categorized as follows:

  • Nascent Stage (0-4 points): Your institution is in the very early stages of aligning AI initiatives with strategic goals. AI projects may be happening but they're likely ad hoc and disconnected from broader institutional objectives. Focus on developing an AI vision and mission statement and establishing leadership structures to guide AI implementation.
  • Emerging Stage (5-9 points): Your institution has begun to align AI with strategic goals but the approach is still inconsistent. Some components like an AI roadmap or leadership structure may be in place but they're not fully developed or consistently applied. Work on formalizing processes, enhancing stakeholder engagement, and developing more robust frameworks for AI investment and impact measurement.
  • Established Stage (10-13 points): Your institution has a clear and consistent approach to aligning AI initiatives with strategic goals. Most key components are in place and functioning effectively. Focus on refining these processes, ensuring they're fully integrated across the institution, and adapting them to address emerging AI trends and opportunities.
  • Transformative Stage (14-16 points): Your institution is at the forefront of strategic AI alignment in education. AI is fully integrated into your strategic planning processes and is driving innovation across the institution. Continue to refine and evolve your approach, potentially serving as a model for other institutions. Focus on pushing boundaries and exploring cutting-edge ways to leverage AI for strategic advantage in education.

Next Steps

Based on your assessment results:

  • Identify the areas where your institution scored lowest and prioritize these for improvement.
  • Develop action plans to address gaps in your strategic alignment of AI initiatives.
  • Set goals to progress to the next maturity stage, focusing on the key components that will help you advance.
  • Regularly reassess your maturity level to track progress and identify new areas for improvement.
  • Share best practices and lessons learned within your institution to foster a culture of strategic AI alignment.
  • Consider assessing other pillars of the SAGE-AI Framework to get a comprehensive view of your institution's AI governance maturity.
  • For institutions at the Transformative stage, explore opportunities to contribute to the broader education community's understanding of strategic AI alignment.
Maturity Assessments