The SupaMakers AI Readiness Framework
Every consulting firm has an AI framework. Most are 50-page slide decks that gather dust. This one is different — it is a working tool designed to produce a concrete output in hours, not weeks.
The framework evaluates readiness across five dimensions, produces a scored maturity profile, and generates a prioritised action plan. It has been designed specifically for regulated industries where governance and compliance are non-negotiable.
The five dimensions
1. Leadership & Vision
Does your organisation's leadership understand AI well enough to direct its adoption? Is there a mandate, a budget, and an accountable owner?
Why it matters: Without leadership alignment, AI initiatives have no political cover, no sustained funding, and no strategic direction. This is the #1 predictor of success.
2. Talent & Skills
Can your people direct AI to produce useful work? This is not about hiring data scientists — it is about whether your existing professionals can use AI effectively in their daily workflows.
Why it matters: Talent readiness is the lowest-scoring dimension across industries (20% according to Deloitte). The tools are ready. The people are not.
3. Technology & Infrastructure
Do you have enterprise-grade AI tools with proper security? Is your data accessible to AI? Are your systems integrated?
Why it matters: Consumer AI tools in a professional setting are a compliance risk. Enterprise deployment with audit trails, data classification, and access controls is the baseline.
4. Governance & Risk
Have your compliance and risk frameworks been extended to cover AI? Is there a clear policy on what data goes into AI, who reviews output, and how errors are handled?
Why it matters: In regulated industries, ungoverned AI is a material risk. But over-governed AI that nobody can use is equally wasteful. The framework helps you find the right balance.
5. Workflow Integration
Are your processes documented well enough for AI to plug into? If workflows live in people's heads rather than in documented procedures, AI has nothing to work with.
Why it matters: This is the most underestimated dimension. Firms with great technology but undocumented workflows get minimal value from AI.
Scoring methodology
Each dimension is scored 1-5:
| Score | Level | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | None | No capability in this dimension |
| 2 | Informal | Ad hoc efforts, no structure |
| 3 | Structured | Formal programmes exist but are not yet comprehensive |
| 4 | Advanced | Comprehensive capability, actively managed |
| 5 | Leading | Best-in-class, continuously improving |
Total scores map to four maturity levels:
| Total (out of 25) | Maturity | Recommended focus |
|---|---|---|
| 5-10 | Early | Leadership buy-in, first pilot, basic governance |
| 11-15 | Developing | Consistency across tools, training, and standards |
| 16-20 | Advancing | Scaling across teams, measurement, enterprise integration |
| 21-25 | Leading | Agentic workflows, cross-functional optimisation |
Key insight from MIT Technology Review: 64% of C-suite leaders say data integration is their top AI investment priority. But only 21% report mature governance. The framework helps you close that gap systematically.
Applying the framework
Self-assessment (30 minutes)
Score your organisation across all five dimensions using the interactive AI Readiness Assessment. Your scorecard computes automatically.
Full audit (2 hours)
The AI Readiness Audit course walks you through 8 modules:
- Why Audit — the case for structured assessment
- Readiness Scorecard — score all 5 dimensions interactively
- Workflow Discovery — find your high-value opportunities
- VALUE Scoring — prioritise by impact and feasibility
- Tool Matching — map problems to solutions
- Calculating ROI — using your actual numbers
- Readiness Report — one-page deliverable for leadership
- Audit to Action — your 30/60/90 day plan
Facilitated audit
Want SupaMakers to run this framework with your team? We facilitate 2-hour sessions customised for your industry, tools, and regulatory environment.
Start the self-assessment → | Take the full course → | Book a facilitated audit →