Trust Engineering Maturity Model (TEMM)

The Trust Engineering Maturity Model (TEMM) is StackWeaver's six-level framework (Level 0 to Level 5) for measuring an organisation's trust maturity by how continuously it generates compliance evidence — from Level 0 (Undocumented) to Level 5 (Adaptive).

Also known as: TEMM

Explanation

TEMM gives leadership a single axis to place themselves on and a clear path forward. Most early-stage fintechs sit at Level 1–2 (reactive to documented); the goal of Trust Infrastructure is to reach Level 4 (Continuous) and beyond.

Each level describes an observable state of evidence generation, not a self-assessment of intent.

TEMM scores five dimensions — Build, Validate, Observe, Govern, Improve — each on the same six levels. It reports two numbers, not one: the average across the five dimensions, and the Governing Score, which is the lowest of the five. The Governing Score is the reported number, because an organisation is only as trustworthy as its weakest dimension, not its strongest one.

The five measured dimensions rest on the same foundation TEOM names explicitly — Stewardship, the human accountability layer beneath them that no amount of automation replaces.

Why it matters

It converts "are we compliant?" into "what is our maturity, and what is the next level?" — a far more actionable question.

How StackWeaver applies it

StackWeaver assesses a client's current TEMM level and engineers the specific capabilities needed to advance, tracking progress against the model.

Key points

Level 0 — Undocumented

No compliance framework exists.

Level 1 — Reactive

Compliance responds to auditor questions.

Level 2 — Documented

Compliance documented but manual.

Level 3 — Structured

Policies exist, partially automated.

Level 4 — Continuous

Evidence generated continuously.

Level 5 — Adaptive

The organisation anticipates trust challenges before they surface, identifying emerging risk and declining controls ahead of time.

What this relates to