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Version: 0.7.0

Capability

Definition​

A capability is a stable description of what an organization can do to achieve an outcome, independent of its current structure, process, and technology.

Boundaries​

A capability answers “what must we be able to do?”, while a process answers “how is work organized?”. It is not a team, software function, or endpoint. Its name is usually a noun phrase, such as “case management” or “risk assessment.”

Minimum characteristics​

  • business purpose;
  • decomposition level;
  • owner;
  • criticality or target development level when needed.

Relationships​

A capability is required by a process and supported by one or more systems. Capabilities may be grouped into a map, but the group is not a new object type.

Example​

CAP-CASE-MANAGEMENT is the capability to register, classify, assign, and monitor customer cases.

Common mistakes​

  • naming a capability after a particular system;
  • confusing a capability with an organizational unit;
  • using a level so fine that it matches individual UI functions.