At maturity level 1, processes are usually not documented and change
based on the user or event. The organization does not have a stable environment
and may not know or understand all of the components that make up the
environment. As a result, success in these organizations depends on the
institutional knowledge, the competence and heroics of the people in the
organization, and the level of effort expended by the team. In spite of this
chaotic environment, maturity level 1 organizations often produce products and
services; however, they frequently exceed the budget and schedule of their
projects.
Due to the lack of formality, level 1 organizations, often over
commit, abandon processes during a crisis, and are unable to repeat past
successes. There is very little planning and executive buy-in for projects and
process acceptance is limited. IT organizations at level 1 are often seen as a
service instead of a partner.
