AI Readiness Assessment Template
A comprehensive diagnostic tool that evaluates your marketing organization's current state across technology, talent, data, and process dimensions. Use this template to identify capability gaps, prioritize investments, and present a clear roadmap to leadership for AI adoption. Produces a scored assessment report with specific recommendations.
How to Use This Template
- 1.**Step 1: Gather Your Assessment Team.** Before starting, assemble a cross-functional team including representatives from marketing operations, data/analytics, marketing technology, and IT. Schedule a 2-3 hour kickoff meeting to align on assessment scope, timeline, and success criteria. This team will be responsible for gathering information, validating findings, and socializing results across the organization. Having diverse perspectives ensures the assessment captures the full picture of your AI readiness.
- 2.**Step 2: Conduct Stakeholder Interviews and Data Collection.** Schedule 30-45 minute interviews with 8-12 key stakeholders across different functions and seniority levels (CMO, marketing ops leaders, analytics leads, individual contributors). Use the four dimensions as your interview framework, asking open-ended questions about current capabilities, pain points, and aspirations. Simultaneously, audit your existing technology stack, review data governance documentation, and assess team composition and skills. Document all findings in a shared spreadsheet to identify patterns and gaps.
- 3.**Step 3: Score Each Dimension Using the Maturity Scale.** For each of the four dimensions (Technology, Data, Talent, Process), assign a maturity score from 1-5 based on your findings. Be honest and conservative—it's better to underestimate readiness than overstate it. Have your assessment team independently score each dimension, then discuss discrepancies to reach consensus. Document the rationale behind each score so you can explain it to leadership. Calculate the overall readiness score as the average of the four dimension scores.
- 4.**Step 4: Identify Specific Gaps and Translate to Actions.** For each dimension, list 3-5 key findings that explain why the score is what it is (e.g., "Marketing automation platform lacks native AI capabilities" or "Data quality issues prevent reliable segmentation"). Convert each gap into a concrete, prioritized action with a timeline, owner, and budget estimate. Focus on actions that will have the highest impact on readiness. Avoid vague recommendations—every action should be specific enough that someone could execute it immediately.
- 5.**Step 5: Build the Phased Roadmap and Investment Case.** Organize your recommended actions into three phases (Foundation, Build, Scale) spanning 12 months. Assign each action to a phase based on dependencies and urgency. Develop realistic budget estimates for each phase, including technology, talent, and implementation costs. Calculate projected ROI by identifying 2-3 key business outcomes (e.g., improved campaign performance, faster time-to-market, reduced manual work) and estimating the financial impact. This roadmap becomes your business case for securing budget and executive alignment.
- 6.**Step 6: Present Findings and Secure Leadership Alignment.** Schedule a 45-60 minute presentation with your CMO and relevant C-suite stakeholders. Lead with the overall readiness score and executive summary, then walk through the four dimensions using your scorecard. Spend the most time on the prioritized roadmap and investment summary—this is what leadership cares about. Anticipate questions about ROI, timeline, and resource requirements. After the presentation, schedule a follow-up meeting to discuss approval, budget allocation, and next steps. Use this assessment as your foundation for ongoing quarterly reviews to track progress.
Template
# AI Readiness Assessment Report
**Organization:** [COMPANY_NAME]
**Assessment Date:** [DATE]
**Assessment Lead:** [YOUR_NAME], [YOUR_TITLE]
**Review Period:** [TIMEFRAME, e.g., Q4 2024]
---
## Executive Summary
[ORGANIZATION_NAME] has completed a comprehensive AI readiness assessment across four critical dimensions. This report evaluates our current capabilities, identifies gaps, and provides a prioritized roadmap for AI adoption in marketing operations and strategy.
**Overall Readiness Score:** [SCORE]/100
**Recommended Timeline to Full Readiness:** [TIMEFRAME]
**Estimated Investment Required:** $[AMOUNT]
**Expected ROI Window:** [TIMEFRAME]
---
## Assessment Methodology
This assessment evaluated [ORGANIZATION_NAME] across four core dimensions using a 5-point maturity scale:
- **1 = Ad Hoc:** No formal processes or capabilities
- **2 = Developing:** Initial processes; inconsistent execution
- **3 = Defined:** Documented processes; consistent execution
- **4 = Managed:** Optimized processes; continuous improvement
- **5 = Optimized:** Best-in-class; fully integrated and automated
**Assessment Methods:** [e.g., stakeholder interviews, tool audits, data infrastructure review, team skill assessments]
---
## Dimension 1: Technology & Infrastructure
### Current State
| Technology Area | Current Tools/Status | Maturity Level | Gap Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marketing Automation | [CURRENT_PLATFORM] | [1-5] | [BRIEF_GAP_DESCRIPTION] |
| Data Warehouse/CDP | [CURRENT_PLATFORM] | [1-5] | [BRIEF_GAP_DESCRIPTION] |
| Analytics & BI | [CURRENT_PLATFORM] | [1-5] | [BRIEF_GAP_DESCRIPTION] |
| CRM System | [CURRENT_PLATFORM] | [1-5] | [BRIEF_GAP_DESCRIPTION] |
| AI/ML Tools | [CURRENT_PLATFORM] | [1-5] | [BRIEF_GAP_DESCRIPTION] |
| API Connectivity | [STATUS] | [1-5] | [BRIEF_GAP_DESCRIPTION] |
**Dimension Score:** [SCORE]/5
### Key Findings
- [FINDING_1: Specific capability or limitation identified]
- [FINDING_2: Specific capability or limitation identified]
- [FINDING_3: Specific capability or limitation identified]
### Recommended Actions
1. **[PRIORITY_ACTION_1]** — Timeline: [TIMEFRAME] | Owner: [ROLE] | Budget: $[AMOUNT]
2. **[PRIORITY_ACTION_2]** — Timeline: [TIMEFRAME] | Owner: [ROLE] | Budget: $[AMOUNT]
3. **[PRIORITY_ACTION_3]** — Timeline: [TIMEFRAME] | Owner: [ROLE] | Budget: $[AMOUNT]
---
## Dimension 2: Data & Analytics
### Current State
| Data Capability | Current Status | Maturity Level | Gap Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data Quality & Governance | [STATUS] | [1-5] | [BRIEF_GAP_DESCRIPTION] |
| Customer Data Integration | [STATUS] | [1-5] | [BRIEF_GAP_DESCRIPTION] |
| First-Party Data Collection | [STATUS] | [1-5] | [BRIEF_GAP_DESCRIPTION] |
| Data Accessibility | [STATUS] | [1-5] | [BRIEF_GAP_DESCRIPTION] |
| Analytics Maturity | [STATUS] | [1-5] | [BRIEF_GAP_DESCRIPTION] |
| Privacy & Compliance | [STATUS] | [1-5] | [BRIEF_GAP_DESCRIPTION] |
**Dimension Score:** [SCORE]/5
### Key Findings
- [FINDING_1: Data quality, integration, or accessibility issue]
- [FINDING_2: Data quality, integration, or accessibility issue]
- [FINDING_3: Data quality, integration, or accessibility issue]
### Recommended Actions
1. **[PRIORITY_ACTION_1]** — Timeline: [TIMEFRAME] | Owner: [ROLE] | Budget: $[AMOUNT]
2. **[PRIORITY_ACTION_2]** — Timeline: [TIMEFRAME] | Owner: [ROLE] | Budget: $[AMOUNT]
3. **[PRIORITY_ACTION_3]** — Timeline: [TIMEFRAME] | Owner: [ROLE] | Budget: $[AMOUNT]
---
## Dimension 3: Talent & Skills
### Current State
| Skill Area | Current Capability | Team Size | Maturity Level | Gap Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AI/ML Expertise | [STATUS] | [NUMBER] FTE | [1-5] | [BRIEF_GAP_DESCRIPTION] |
| Data Science | [STATUS] | [NUMBER] FTE | [1-5] | [BRIEF_GAP_DESCRIPTION] |
| Analytics & Insights | [STATUS] | [NUMBER] FTE | [1-5] | [BRIEF_GAP_DESCRIPTION] |
| Marketing Technology | [STATUS] | [NUMBER] FTE | [1-5] | [BRIEF_GAP_DESCRIPTION] |
| AI Literacy (Broader Team) | [STATUS] | [PERCENTAGE]% trained | [1-5] | [BRIEF_GAP_DESCRIPTION] |
**Dimension Score:** [SCORE]/5
### Key Findings
- [FINDING_1: Specific skill gap or talent constraint]
- [FINDING_2: Specific skill gap or talent constraint]
- [FINDING_3: Specific skill gap or talent constraint]
### Recommended Actions
1. **[PRIORITY_ACTION_1]** — Timeline: [TIMEFRAME] | Owner: [ROLE] | Budget: $[AMOUNT]
2. **[PRIORITY_ACTION_2]** — Timeline: [TIMEFRAME] | Owner: [ROLE] | Budget: $[AMOUNT]
3. **[PRIORITY_ACTION_3]** — Timeline: [TIMEFRAME] | Owner: [ROLE] | Budget: $[AMOUNT]
---
## Dimension 4: Process & Governance
### Current State
| Process Area | Current Maturity | Adoption Level | Maturity Level | Gap Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AI Use Case Identification | [STATUS] | [PERCENTAGE]% | [1-5] | [BRIEF_GAP_DESCRIPTION] |
| Experimentation Framework | [STATUS] | [PERCENTAGE]% | [1-5] | [BRIEF_GAP_DESCRIPTION] |
| Model Governance & Monitoring | [STATUS] | [PERCENTAGE]% | [1-5] | [BRIEF_GAP_DESCRIPTION] |
| Cross-Functional Collaboration | [STATUS] | [PERCENTAGE]% | [1-5] | [BRIEF_GAP_DESCRIPTION] |
| Change Management Capability | [STATUS] | [PERCENTAGE]% | [1-5] | [BRIEF_GAP_DESCRIPTION] |
| Ethical AI Framework | [STATUS] | [PERCENTAGE]% | [1-5] | [BRIEF_GAP_DESCRIPTION] |
**Dimension Score:** [SCORE]/5
### Key Findings
- [FINDING_1: Process, governance, or adoption barrier]
- [FINDING_2: Process, governance, or adoption barrier]
- [FINDING_3: Process, governance, or adoption barrier]
### Recommended Actions
1. **[PRIORITY_ACTION_1]** — Timeline: [TIMEFRAME] | Owner: [ROLE] | Budget: $[AMOUNT]
2. **[PRIORITY_ACTION_2]** — Timeline: [TIMEFRAME] | Owner: [ROLE] | Budget: $[AMOUNT]
3. **[PRIORITY_ACTION_3]** — Timeline: [TIMEFRAME] | Owner: [ROLE] | Budget: $[AMOUNT]
---
## Readiness Scorecard
| Dimension | Score | Status | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technology & Infrastructure | [SCORE]/5 | [On Track / At Risk / Critical] | [High / Medium / Low] |
| Data & Analytics | [SCORE]/5 | [On Track / At Risk / Critical] | [High / Medium / Low] |
| Talent & Skills | [SCORE]/5 | [On Track / At Risk / Critical] | [High / Medium / Low] |
| Process & Governance | [SCORE]/5 | [On Track / At Risk / Critical] | [High / Medium / Low] |
| **Overall Readiness** | **[SCORE]/5** | **[On Track / At Risk / Critical]** | **—** |
---
## Prioritized Implementation Roadmap
### Phase 1: Foundation (Months 1-3)
**Objective:** Establish core capabilities and governance
- [ACTION_1]
- [ACTION_2]
- [ACTION_3]
**Success Metrics:** [METRIC_1], [METRIC_2], [METRIC_3]
**Budget:** $[AMOUNT]
**Owner:** [ROLE]
### Phase 2: Build (Months 4-6)
**Objective:** Develop talent and deploy initial use cases
- [ACTION_1]
- [ACTION_2]
- [ACTION_3]
**Success Metrics:** [METRIC_1], [METRIC_2], [METRIC_3]
**Budget:** $[AMOUNT]
**Owner:** [ROLE]
### Phase 3: Scale (Months 7-12)
**Objective:** Expand adoption and optimize performance
- [ACTION_1]
- [ACTION_2]
- [ACTION_3]
**Success Metrics:** [METRIC_1], [METRIC_2], [METRIC_3]
**Budget:** $[AMOUNT]
**Owner:** [ROLE]
---
## Risk Assessment
| Risk | Likelihood | Impact | Mitigation Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|
| [RISK_1] | [High/Medium/Low] | [High/Medium/Low] | [MITIGATION_PLAN] |
| [RISK_2] | [High/Medium/Low] | [High/Medium/Low] | [MITIGATION_PLAN] |
| [RISK_3] | [High/Medium/Low] | [High/Medium/Low] | [MITIGATION_PLAN] |
---
## Investment Summary
| Category | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Technology & Tools | $[AMOUNT] | $[AMOUNT] | $[AMOUNT] | $[AMOUNT] |
| Talent & Training | $[AMOUNT] | $[AMOUNT] | $[AMOUNT] | $[AMOUNT] |
| Implementation & Services | $[AMOUNT] | $[AMOUNT] | $[AMOUNT] | $[AMOUNT] |
| **Total Investment** | **$[AMOUNT]** | **$[AMOUNT]** | **$[AMOUNT]** | **$[AMOUNT]** |
**Projected ROI:** [PERCENTAGE]% by [YEAR]
**Payback Period:** [TIMEFRAME]
---
## Recommendations & Next Steps
1. **Immediate (Next 30 Days):**
- [SPECIFIC_ACTION]
- [SPECIFIC_ACTION]
- [SPECIFIC_ACTION]
2. **Short-Term (Next 90 Days):**
- [SPECIFIC_ACTION]
- [SPECIFIC_ACTION]
- [SPECIFIC_ACTION]
3. **Medium-Term (Next 6 Months):**
- [SPECIFIC_ACTION]
- [SPECIFIC_ACTION]
- [SPECIFIC_ACTION]
---
## Appendix: Assessment Details
**Stakeholders Interviewed:** [LIST_OF_ROLES/NAMES]
**Tools & Systems Reviewed:** [LIST_OF_TOOLS]
**Data Sources:** [LIST_OF_DATA_SOURCES]
**Assessment Duration:** [TIMEFRAME]
**Next Review Date:** [DATE]
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Get the Full AI Marketing Learning Path
Courses, workshops, frameworks, daily intelligence, and 6 proprietary tools — built for marketing leaders adopting AI.
Trusted by 10,000+ Directors and CMOs.