How to Improve SAM Maturity: Real Examples from Utility and Insurance Sectors
Navigating the complexities of IT Asset Management (ITAM) and Software Asset Management (SAM) requires more than just tools—it requires clarity, governance, and strategy. Before diving into the “how,” it is vital to understand the “why.” If you are unsure about the strategic value of these assessments, read more about why you should measure your ITAM maturity.
The following case studies illustrate how diverse organizations, from insurance to utilities, overcame stagnation by leveraging simplified, actionable maturity assessments.
Australasian Insurance Company
SAM Diagnostic & Strategy
The Situation: The organization had previously conducted ITAM/SAM maturity assessments, but the resulting reports were lengthy, overly technical, and difficult to translate into actionable steps. These assessments often felt like reading a dull crime novel rather than a practical business case, creating apprehension toward future evaluations.
The Task: The goal was to evaluate the organization’s maturity in a way that was clear, practical, and cost-effective—without requiring extensive consultant involvement or overwhelming internal teams.
The Action: The organization adopted Rory Canavan’s SAM Maturity Assessment. This framework-agnostic approach used a structured questionnaire with 10 sections and 10 questions per section. It was designed to uncover granular insights without complexity, encouraging honesty to ensure accurate maturity levels were captured.
The assessment produced an instant, concise report that avoided jargon. It provided a clear roadmap for addressing risks, improving governance, and optimizing costs. By delivering insights in bite-sized, easy-to-read chunks, the process fostered engagement and instilled a culture of continuous improvement.
UK Utility Firm
SAM Maturity & Process Optimization
The Situation: Managing an estate of 5,000 devices, this firm faced significant challenges. Contractors were using corporate equipment, and SAP was deeply entrenched. Despite having Snow License Manager, the SAM team felt the tool was ineffective and considered a costly replacement. Efforts were narrowly focused on compliance reporting (ELPs) rather than broader improvements.
The Task: The organization needed to improve its SAM maturity and establish a structured approach to asset management without resorting to costly technology replacements.
The Action: SAM Charter engaged in a 45-day program that included a SAM Process Maturity Assessment. They delivered a comprehensive roadmap featuring an ITAM Policy Document, 15 customized process maps, and a RACI chart. The team was coached to shift focus from ELP generation to monitoring IT estate health.
The engagement was transformative. The organization retained its existing SAM suite, saving significant costs. The Head of SAM was entrusted with ownership of critical processes, leading to two promotions within 15 months. This proved that investing in process maturity drives professional growth alongside organizational efficiency.
Source: SAM Charter – Best Use Case
UK Multinational – Facilities Management
Benchmarking a Federated Enterprise
The Situation: Grown through multiple acquisitions, this organization had a federated structure with subsidiaries ranging from boutique firms to large construction companies. Each managed IT assets independently, leading to inconsistent practices and significant risks regarding compliance, security, and cost control.
The Task: The CIO and CISO required a way to benchmark ITAM maturity across all subsidiaries to identify gaps and build a standardized approach, while still respecting the unique business needs of the subsidiaries.
The Action: Each subsidiary completed an ITAM Accelerate Maturity Assessment. The results were visualized in a heatmap showing maturity levels and risk areas. This data informed the development of a federated ITAM framework and an assurance model for ongoing risk assessment.
The heatmap became a powerful communication tool, securing senior management buy-in. The assessment exposed critical risks and enabled targeted interventions, improving governance and positioning the organization to achieve cost savings through better procurement strategies.
