Rapid Battle Cards 01–15
Use these as fast discrimination drills. Cover the clues and explain the difference before revealing them.
1 — DMMA vs Improvement Program
- DMMA: baseline / characterize current state.
- Improvement program: build capability and execute change.
- Deciding clue: diagnosis vs treatment.
2 — Maturity Level vs Within-Level Score
- Maturity level: macro capability state.
- Within-level score: progress/effectiveness on one criterion.
- Deciding clue: what does the number actually measure?
3 — Level 1 vs Level 2
- L1: hero/silo/inconsistent.
- L2: repeatable minimum discipline.
- Switch fact: documented roles/processes can be performed consistently by multiple people.
4 — Level 2 vs Level 3
- L2: repeatable/emerging.
- L3: defined/institutionalized/scalable.
- Switch fact: common standards and scalable processes become organization-wide practice.
5 — Level 3 vs Level 4
- L3: standards/predictable execution.
- L4: measured/controlled/risk-managed.
- Switch fact: metrics actively control performance and risk.
6 — Level 4 vs Level 5
- L4: managed performance.
- L5: continuous optimization.
- Switch fact: metrics drive systematic redesign/improvement of the already-managed process.
7 — Current State vs Target State
- Current: where capability is now.
- Target: where capability needs to be.
- Deciding clue: evidence-backed baseline vs business-driven destination.
8 — Low Score vs High Priority
- Low score: weak current state.
- High priority: business-critical gap requiring action.
- Trap: lowest score does not automatically come first.
9 — Activity Criterion vs Tool Criterion
- Activity: process execution and intended outputs.
- Tools: support/automation/training/configuration.
- Clue: “Does the work happen?” vs “What enables it?”
10 — Standards vs People/Resources
- Standards: documented/enforced/governed rules.
- People/Resources: staffing, skills, training, roles.
- Clue: rule weakness vs capacity/competency weakness.
11 — Localized Scope vs Enterprise Scope
- Localized: deeper/faster/bounded.
- Enterprise: broader/complex/pan-enterprise.
- Clue: objective and feasibility, not prestige.
12 — Interview Response vs Artifact Evidence
- Interview response: participant perception.
- Artifact evidence: proof of practice.
- Memory hook: say it, then prove it.
13 — Preliminary Rating vs Final Consensus Rating
- Preliminary: assessor's initial interpretation.
- Final: reconciled evidence-supported state.
- Clue: before vs after evidence discussion/reconciliation.
14 — Assessment Report vs Executive Briefing
- Report: detailed findings/options/risks/resources.
- Briefing: tailored decision summary.
- Memory hook: diagnose in detail; decide in summary.
15 — Framework vs DAMA-DMBOK Use
- Framework: maturity criteria/scoring/level structure.
- DMBOK: KA/activity/deliverable checklist and mapping aid.
- Trap: calling DMBOK itself the selected maturity model.
Source: Chapter 15, pp. 503–517.