Capability Modeling Guidelines | How to Structure a Capability Map

Follow the Flow to Product Delivery

The easiest way to identify high-level, operational capabilities is to start with the delivery of major product groups and to work backwards through the flow of their creation activities. Picking product delivery as and “end point” and stepping backwards through the flow helps to take the focus off the current state allowing for improvement ideas.

Going with the flow as the first step leads to flow-aligned Capabilities that together scaffold the basic structure of the Processes of the Enterprise, and leads to flow-aligned organisations. That way, you optimise your organisation for the efficiency of the core processes.

Example: Intersection Railways: Intersection Railways is a holding corporation. Their biggest company plans, builds and maintains the railway infrastructure and routes the trains across their tracks. Their company “Intersection Passenger” is responsible for the safe and convenient transport of people, while “Intersection Cargo” transports freight: