Maslows Hierarchy of Needs and CMMI Model

I found a strange similarity between Maslow's famous Hierarchy of Needs and CMMI Model.

Maslow's hierarchy has 5 levels viz. Physiological, Safety, Love/Belonging, Esteem and Self-actualization.

The higher level needs only come into focus when lower level needs are satisfied. However there are exceptions. Some people tend to focus on higher level than the lower level needs, but then they don't last long too. Sometimes these needs are attended in parallel.

CMMI model also has 5 levels (staged) viz. Initial, Managed, Defined Quantitatively Managed and Optimizing.

A step by step approach for process improvement which recommends satisfying lower level goals before aiming higher level goals.

If we compare corresponding levels of these two models, we see some similarity. Does it mean something? I am not sure. I will try to interpret it from my point of view. But first lets see the similarities.

First level of Maslow's hierarchy is Physiological needs. It covers the needs wihc are must for survival like food, water and other basic needs must for our living on this planet. First level of CMMI is Initial. Which means the organization has little control, no idea of future and is just in survival mode. It has to satisfy it basic needs of making enough money to survive.

Second level of maslow's hierarchy is Safety. So when man's physical needs are satisfied, he feels for security of his livelihood, a secure future, health, safety from crime, etc. CMMI's second level is Managed. here organizations projects follow some processes, they are capable of doing projects repeatedly and give some assurance of making money by showing their capability to the customers. So the organization is little safe in terms of its existence, it has more money to invest and to safeguard its interests. It can pay good so can retain key people too which ensures its control on situation and hence adds to its safety.

Third level of Maslow's hierarchy is Social needs. Here the man feels the need to connect socially, have friends, have a circle, be part of soceity. In CMMI, the third level is Defined. Here the organization has a standard process and framework. All projects are executed in similar way using same forms, templates, methods, etc. The organization needs to make a framework and have corporate culture which can bring all employees together and align them in same direction. They all belong to this way of working and can connect with each others work.

Fourth level of Maslow's hierarchy is Esteem. After having a full stomach, sitting in a secure environment and sipping cola within a circle of known people, man needs to get some appreciation. he yearns now for his own identity, his brand value, fame and glory. CMMI level 4 is Quantitatively Managed. Here the projects are managed quantitatively. They have goals/targets, they can predict their success failure and hence are in very control. This helps organization in doung succesful projects and repeat it again and again which gives them good image and hence gets them even more business.

Fifth level of Maslow's hierarchy is Self-actualization. In Maslow's scheme, the final stage of psychological development comes when the individual feels assured that his physiological, security, affiliation and affection, self-respect, and recognition needs have been satisfied. As these become dormant, he becomes filled with a desire to realize all of his potential for being an effective, creative, mature human being. "What a man can be, he must be, is the way Maslow expresses it. CMMI level 5 is Optimizing and strives on Continuous Improvement. here the organization uses all its resources to contiuously improve its working, creative ideas are at play and the organization is on path to scale new heights and to use all its potential to generate value. Employee welfare and social responsibilities are taken care of willfully.

What I see is that there is definitely some similarity between these models but what might be the connections? Is it because Maslow's hierarchy is for human beings and an organization is madeup of human beings? Does need of each individual employee somewhere becomes need of the organization?