Software Improvement Group publishes new software governance guide
AMSTERDAM – [04-09-2025] – Software Improvement Group (SIG) today announced the launch of: “A practical guide for CIOs and CTOs: Software governance in the AI era.” The publication offers a practical framework to help technology leaders assess their software maturity and ensure AI initiatives deliver real value — not risk.
“AI is changing the game for software, speeding up delivery and raising expectations,” said Luc Brandts, CEO of Software Improvement Group. “But it only works if the fundamentals are in place. Without strong architecture and governance, AI doesn’t solve problems — it multiplies them.”
Introducing SIG's software maturity framework
Many organizations still lack a clear, shared view of their IT landscape—especially as Generative AI raises the stakes. AI can accelerate delivery, but without mature architecture, robust governance, and alignment to business goals, it amplifies risk instead of creating value.
SIG’s software maturity framework gives IT leaders in complex organizations a clear, evidence-based way to:
- Pinpoint the real state of your architecture and codebase
- Align AI ambitions with actual readiness
- Prioritize improvements and unlock safe, measurable progress
The four stages of software maturity
- Stage 1 – Stagnation Most organizations SIG assesses are in this stage — operating with limited insight, driven by engineering priorities rather than business outcomes.
- Stage 2 – Refactoring Organizations here have moved beyond firefighting, but structural improvements are still gradual and localized.
- Stage 3 – Modernization At this stage, teams can tackle coordinated system-level change, but without full business alignment, opportunities are still missed.
- Stage 4 – Transformation Few organizations are at this point: IT is a strategic partner to the business, driving innovation as much as enabling it. Getting here should be a north star for CTOs.
Why it matters now
“In IT, too many decisions are still made without clear, data-backed visibility. In the AI era, that’s no longer sustainable,” Brandts added. “This guide helps leaders take back control.”
Available now, Software governance in the AI era equips CIOs and CTOs with the tools to turn complexity into clarity, and ambition into action.
