Linear design-system maturity models are wrong. Nielsen Norman Group's latest framework replaces the standard build-adopt-scale-govern ladder with a six-dimension assessment that evaluates systems simultaneously across multiple axes, not sequentially.
The core argument: real design systems do not mature in a straight line. Organizations hit governance problems while still fighting adoption gaps, or achieve scale while component quality lags. A single ladder score hides these contradictions. The six-dimension model surfaces them, letting teams identify exactly where investment is needed rather than chasing a generic next stage.
The full article details what those six dimensions are, how to score your system against each, and where the linear model specifically breaks down under real organizational pressure. If your design system feels stuck despite hitting the usual milestones, this is the diagnostic your team is missing.
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