🚀 From Crawling to Flying: What Is the Crawl, Walk, Run, Fly Maturity Method—and Why Use It?
Ever seen a baby try to walk before they can crawl? It’s usually wobbly, unpredictable, and ends with a soft thud. The same goes for organizations that try to sprint into change without building a solid foundation first.
That’s where the Crawl, Walk, Run, Fly maturity model comes in.
It’s a simple, intuitive framework that helps teams and organizations adopt new processes, technologies, or strategies in a way that’s thoughtful, progressive, and sustainable. Let’s break it down.
🐛 Crawl: Starting with the Basics
At the Crawl stage, everything is new. You’re experimenting, asking a lot of questions, and figuring out what tools, skills, or knowledge you need just to get going.
Example: Maybe you’re tracking data in spreadsheets or using manual workflows. It’s messy, but it’s a start!
This stage is all about establishing awareness and laying the groundwork. It’s not glamorous—but skipping it leads to frustration later.
🚶 Walk: Building Consistency
Now you’ve found your footing. You’re using tools more effectively, standardizing processes, and starting to see patterns in your work.
Example: You’ve moved from spreadsheets to basic software tools, and team members are following consistent processes.
Walking is about building reliability and coordination. It’s when your organization starts to feel a little more in control and a lot more capable.
🏃 Run: Gaining Momentum
You’re no longer just trying to keep up—you’re ahead of the game. Your systems are working together, your team is confident, and you’re making decisions based on real data.
Example: Automation is in place. Insights are guiding your strategy. You can scale without stress.
At this stage, you’re running with purpose—and starting to see real results.
🦅 Fly: Leading with Innovation
Now you’re flying. You’re not just doing things well—you’re redefining how they should be done.
Example: Your team is innovating, predicting future trends, and making bold, strategic moves with confidence.
Flying is about optimization, foresight, and transformation. It’s when you stop reacting and start leading.
✨ Why Use the Crawl, Walk, Run, Fly Model?
The Crawl, Walk, Run, Fly model offers a clear, practical path for growth—especially in complex transformations. It helps teams start small, build confidence, and scale at a pace that’s both realistic and sustainable. By breaking change into manageable phases, it reduces overwhelm, aligns stakeholders, and ensures you’re not overreaching before you’re ready.
So while it might be tempting to skip the crawl and jump straight into a sprint, remember: even rockets need launch sequences. This model is yours.
🚀 Ready to Take Off?
Whether you’re crawling toward your first process improvement or flying high with enterprise-level innovation, knowing where you are on the journey helps you get where you want to go—faster, smarter, and with fewer bruises along the way.
Need help mapping your path from crawl to fly? Let’s talk.
