The ARMOR Matrix
Click any cell to explore its archetype, symptoms, and improvement path.
How to use the Matrix
Begin with an honest self-assessment to identify your organization's coordinate position. Each cell represents a cross-section of technical practice and governance accountability, describing both the strengths and the specific gaps that define that position. Exploring the individual Technical and Governance level pages reveals the expected outcomes, required actions, and sustainment criteria needed to hold your current level and advance to the next.
Compliant but blind
Technically isolated
Governance over-built
Aligned
Resilient
Governance & Accountability (G) →
T1
Ad Hoc
T2
Repeatable
T3
Measured
T4
Optimized
T5
Resilient
G5
Embedded
T1/G5
Board governance, no program beneath it
⚠ Floor
T2/G5
Embedded governance, developing practice
⚠ Floor
T3/G5
Governed beyond the program's reach
⚠ Floor
T4/G5
Fully resilient, scaling validation
T5/G5
Continuous validation, embedded governance
G4
Integrated
T1/G4
Integrated governance, minimal testing
⚠ Floor
T2/G4
Governance ahead, testing catching up
T3/G4
Managed and integrating
T4/G4
Operationally resilient
T5/G4
Continuous validation, integrated governance
G3
Strategic
T1/G3
Strategy without substance
T2/G3
Repeatable with strategic direction
T3/G3
Capable and governed
T4/G3
Optimized program
T5/G3
Continuous validation, governance gap
G2
Responsive
T1/G2
Governance built on thin air
T2/G2
Foundational program
T3/G2
Broad coverage, developing governance
T4/G2
Advanced testing, governance catching up
T5/G2
Continuous validation, governance lagging
G1
Absent
T1/G1
Compliant but blind
T2/G1
Scheduled testing, no governance home
T3/G1
Broad testing, no infrastructure
T4/G1
Technically capable, organizationally isolated
T5/G1
Continuous testing, zero leverage
Technical Practice (T) →