System Maturity

In our evaluation of whole system / place-based approaches, we use a system maturity matrix, the full version of which you can see attached.

Over the last couple of months, NELP has been working with Sport England and some Place-based leads to review the content of the System Maturity Matrix.

We are now able to share the revised version, together with a summary of changes made and the reasons for those changes, a new ‘quick reference guide’ to the conditions and an overview which highlights the changes to the 2025 version. Further guidance on the SMM and the CCA survey process will be shared by the middle of August.

No major changes have been made to the SMM - we have retained the nine system maturity conditions that you will be familiar with, so any data you have collected in relation to those will still be relevant.

We routinely review and refine all our approaches, methods and tools and our aim in this review is to help to make meanings and differences clearer and the descriptors more accessible for place partners to engage with.

The changes are based on our learning from last year’s System Maturity Matrix assessment, as well as the feedback gained through the moderation process, our analysis of the spring 2026 Evaluation and Learning reports and our reflections on the data.

These changes will reinforce our collective confidence in Place System Maturity Assessments, CCA analyses, and development of findings which support learning and action.

You can access the information about the changes on the Updates to the SMM page - here.