How can you measure relationship maturity and trust?

1 Relationship Maturity Model

One way to measure relationship maturity is to use a relationship maturity model (RMM), which defines different levels of relationship development based on criteria such as alignment, engagement, value, and governance. For example, the BRM Institute's RMM has five levels: ad hoc, order taker, service provider, trusted advisor, and strategic partner. You can use the RMM to benchmark your current relationship status, identify gaps and opportunities, and plan actions to move to the next level.

2 Relationship Trust Index

Another way to measure relationship trust is to use a relationship trust index (RTI), which quantifies the degree of trust between you and your stakeholders based on factors such as credibility, reliability, intimacy, and self-orientation. For example, the Trust Equation by Trusted Advisor Associates is a formula that calculates the RTI as follows: RTI = (Credibility + Reliability + Intimacy) / Self-Orientation. You can use the RTI to evaluate your trustworthiness, address trust issues, and build trust over time.

3 Relationship Feedback Surveys

A third way to measure relationship maturity and trust is to use relationship feedback surveys, which collect and analyze the opinions and perceptions of you and your stakeholders on various aspects of the relationship. For example, you can use the Net Promoter Score (NPS) to measure how likely your stakeholders are to recommend you to others, or the Relationship Value Assessment (RVA) to measure how much value your stakeholders perceive from the relationship. You can use the feedback surveys to monitor relationship satisfaction, identify strengths and weaknesses, and implement improvements.

4 Relationship Portfolio Management

A fourth way to measure relationship maturity and trust is to use relationship portfolio management (RPM), which categorizes and prioritizes your relationships based on their strategic importance and performance. For example, you can use the Kraljic Matrix to classify your relationships into four categories: strategic, leverage, bottleneck, and non-critical. You can use the RPM to allocate your resources, focus your efforts, and manage your risks.

5 Relationship Analytics

A fifth way to measure relationship maturity and trust is to use relationship analytics, which uses data and metrics to track and evaluate the outcomes and impacts of your relationships. For example, you can use the Balanced Scorecard to measure how your relationships contribute to your strategic objectives, or the Return on Relationship (ROR) to measure how your relationships generate value for your organization. You can use the relationship analytics to demonstrate relationship value, communicate results, and optimize performance.

6 Relationship Development Plan

A sixth way to measure relationship maturity and trust is to use a relationship development plan (RDP), which outlines the goals, actions, and measures for improving your relationships. For example, you can use the SMART framework to set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals for your relationships, or the GROW model to guide your conversations and coaching with your stakeholders. You can use the RDP to align your expectations, engage your stakeholders, and achieve your outcomes.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?