Environmental Enforcement Networks: Development of a Network Evaluation Matrix

Despite sharing relatively common purposes, Environmental Enforcement Networks are each unique. Part of this is because the circumstances vary under which they were established. A range of factors influence their development and ultimately determine their relative capability and potential maturity as a network.This paper postulates five possible phases of development through which Environmental Enforcement Networks may transition. Further, it suggests that the application of Capability Maturity Model processes, like those used as part of organizational assessments, is worthy of consideration by Environmental Enforcement Networks. The ability to determine the phase of development that an Environmental Enforcement Network is going through enables mapping the progression of the network through that phase.The authors consider that this conceptual model framework may assist and guide networks to reach their next level of maturity more effectively and efficiently. This paper proposes a Network Evaluation Matrix that has been informed by the foundational Capability Maturity Model framework.