This paper introduces the concept of a process model for network engineering and operation, which addresses quality, process, and maturity of the network engineering process. Currently, the state-of-the-art in network engineering may be classi ed as less than formal. The need for a well planned and exercised network engineering process model is essential for the proper growth of the network engineering practices. The current state of the network engineering process is akin to the software process of more than a decade ago. The network process model, proposed here, demonstrates steps that are modeled as a well-de ned process, much like the process notion of software engineering, however, utilizing its own set of processes areas and key practices. In this work, the`quality' of the network engineering process is introduced through the use of a Network Maturity Model NMM, from which an organization's maturity i.e., level of advancement in the design, development and deployment of networks can be evaluated and quanti ed. The objective is similar to the Capability Maturity Model CMM 2 developed by the Software Engineering Institute SEI, which is used world-wide by government and industry to evaluate the level of maturity and quality in the software engineering capabilities of di erent organizations.