About the SC-CMM Assessment

What is the Small City Capability Maturity Model?

The Small City Capability Maturity Model (SC-CMM) is a practical framework designed specifically for U.S. municipalities under 7,500 residents. It measures digital readiness across 10 dimensions, from strategic planning to cybersecurity to innovation.

Unlike enterprise maturity models designed for large organizations, the SC-CMM recognizes that small cities operate with limited staff, tight budgets, and volunteer leaders. Every recommendation is scaled to be achievable with minimal resources.

How the assessment works

1. Optionally provide your city name and population range for context
2. Answer 99 yes/no questions across 10 capability dimensions
3. Provide your email address to receive your results
4. View your maturity score (0–99), gap analysis, and prioritized recommendations

The assessment takes approximately 30 minutes. You can save progress and return later—your answers are saved each time you complete a dimension section.

Research foundation

Based on the Smart Municipality Maturity Model by Koelmel, Brugger, Bulander & Volz (2026).

The SC-CMM is adapted from the Smart Mature Resilience Maturity Model (SMMM), a peer-reviewed framework developed through the European Commission's Horizon 2020 research programme. The SMMM provides the theoretical foundation; the SC-CMM adapts and extends it for the specific constraints and opportunities of small American municipalities.

Your results include: an overall maturity score (0–99), maturity level (1–5), dimension-level breakdown, strategic-technical capability gap analysis, and 3–5 prioritized action items.

Research and data use

Assessment data is used for statistical analysis and anonymous case studies to advance understanding of digital readiness in small American municipalities. This research helps identify common challenges, effective practices, and areas where small cities may benefit from targeted support.

All research uses de-identified, aggregate data. No individual city or respondent is ever identified in published research without explicit written consent. You can delete your data at any time from your results page.

See our privacy policy for full details on data collection, use, and retention.

About the City Ready Alliance

The City Ready Alliance supports small cities in adopting practical technology solutions. This assessment tool is offered free of charge as part of City Ready Alliance's mission to help communities build digital capacity at their own pace.