Capabilities
Overview
The Capabilities domain represents core functions and competencies an organization must develop and maintain to deliver value and achieve strategic objectives. It provides a structured view of what an organization can do, independent of processes, systems, or people.
Capabilities act as a bridge between strategy and execution, enabling alignment of resources, technology, and processes to achieve desired outcomes. The domain incorporates predictive analytics for continuous assessment and insights into capability evolution, forecasting potential changes based on market trends and internal data.
Schema Version: 2.1
Last Updated: July 2025
License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
What is a Capability?
A capability represents the capacity of an organization to perform a particular kind of work or deliver specific outcomes. It encompasses the combination of people, processes, technology, and information required to achieve business objectives. Capabilities are expressed in business terms and remain relatively stable over time, while the underlying resources that enable them may change.
Core Components
The Capabilities domain includes three essential elements that work together to provide a comprehensive view:
Capability Function: Represents the overarching purpose and role of a capability within the organization
Capability Components: Key structural elements including people, processes, technology, and information
Capability Process: Essential workflows, activities, and tasks that drive the capability's operation
Capability Attributes
Attribute | Type | Description | Example | Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| String | The name or title of the Capability | "Automated Track Inspection System", "Customer Data Analytics" | ✓ |
| String | A detailed explanation of what the Capability entails | "AI-enabled system for continuous track geometry measurement" | ✓ |
| String | The intended purpose or function within the Organization | "Enhance track inspection efficiency and accuracy" | ✓ |
| String | The individual or team responsible for the Capability | "Chief of Track Inspection Technology" | ✓ |
| String | The organization unit(s) to which the Capability is linked | "Track and Rail Infrastructure Division" |
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| Enum | Broad categorization of capability type |
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| Enum | Specific type of capability |
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| Enum | Business domain area |
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| String | Required resources/information/materials | "Track geometry data, rail wear measurements" |
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| String | Deliverables or results produced | "Daily inspection reports, defect predictions" |
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| Enum | Current maturity level of the Capability |
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| Enum | Desired future maturity level |
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| String | Tools and technologies used to support the Capability | "LIDAR sensors, machine learning models" |
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| String | Financial cost for implementation and maintenance | "Annual operating cost: $12.8M" |
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| Enum | Type of investment required |
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| String | Potential risks associated with the Capability | "Equipment failure, data accuracy issues" |
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| Array[Enum] | Categories of risks | [ |
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| String | Areas for enhancement or improvement | "Integrate thermal imaging, expand coverage" |
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| String | Alignment with strategic goals and objectives | "Supports accident reduction and efficiency goals" |
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| Enum | Business criticality level |
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| Enum | Availability requirement |
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| Enum | Scalability characteristics |
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| String | High-level Capability that encompasses this capability | "Track Safety Assurance System" |
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| String | Specific Capability that falls under this capability | "Rail Profile Measurement" |
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| Array[Object] | Functions that define capability purpose | See Capability Function Elements below |
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| Array[Object] | Structural elements of the capability | See Capability Components Elements below |
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| Array[Object] | Processes that drive capability operation | See Capability Process Elements below |
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Enhanced Enumeration Values
Capability Category (capabilityCategory)
Example | Example | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Central to organization's primary value proposition | Customer service, product development |
| Supports core business capabilities | Human resources, finance, procurement |
| Enables other capabilities to function | IT infrastructure, data management |
| Drives competitive advantage and differentiation | Innovation, strategic planning |
| Basic capabilities required for operation | Governance, compliance, risk management |
| Unique capabilities that differentiate from competitors | Proprietary technology, specialized expertise |
Capability Type (capabilityType)
Value | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Day-to-day operational capabilities | Manufacturing, logistics, customer support |
| Technology and engineering capabilities | Software development, system integration |
| Business management and strategy capabilities | Strategic planning, business analysis |
| Oversight and control capabilities | Risk management, compliance, audit |
| Research and development capabilities | R&D, product innovation, process improvement |
| Data analysis and intelligence capabilities | Business intelligence, predictive analytics |
| Digital transformation capabilities | Digital platforms, automation, AI/ML |
| Customer-facing capabilities | Sales, marketing, customer experience |
Business Domain (businessDomain)
Value | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Operational business functions | Manufacturing, supply chain, logistics |
| Financial management functions | Accounting, budgeting, financial planning |
| Technology and IT functions | Software development, infrastructure, cybersecurity |
| People management functions | Recruitment, training, performance management |
| Revenue generation functions | Sales, marketing, customer acquisition |
| Customer support functions | Help desk, customer support, service delivery |
| Legal and regulatory functions | Legal affairs, compliance, risk management |
| Innovation functions | Product development, research, innovation |
| Quality management functions | Quality control, testing, process improvement |
| Strategic management functions | Strategic planning, business development |
| Purchasing and vendor management | Supplier management, procurement, contracts |
| Physical infrastructure management | Facilities management, real estate, maintenance |
Maturity Level (maturityLevel, targetMaturityLevel)
Value | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Ad hoc, unpredictable processes | Reactive, firefighting mode |
| Disciplined process management | Basic process controls in place |
| Standard, consistent processes | Documented and standardized procedures |
| Measured and controlled processes | Performance metrics and continuous monitoring |
| Focus on process improvement | Continuous optimization and innovation |
Investment Category (investmentCategory)
Value | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Capital expenditure investment | Equipment, infrastructure, technology |
| Operational expenditure investment | Ongoing operations, maintenance, licenses |
| Combination of CAPEX and OPEX | Large transformation programs |
| Human capital investment | Training, hiring, development |
| Technology-focused investment | Software, hardware, digital platforms |
| Process improvement investment | Process redesign, automation |
Risk Categories (riskCategories)
Value | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Technology-related risks | System failures, obsolescence |
| Day-to-day operational risks | Process failures, resource constraints |
| Financial and budget risks | Cost overruns, funding shortfalls |
| Regulatory compliance risks | Non-compliance, regulatory changes |
| Strategic planning risks | Misalignment, strategic shifts |
| Resource availability risks | Skill shortages, capacity constraints |
| External environmental risks | Market changes, supplier issues |
| Security-related risks | Data breaches, cyber attacks |
| Reputation and brand risks | Public perception, stakeholder confidence |
| Change-related risks | Resistance to change, adoption issues |
Criticality (criticality)
Value | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Essential for business operation | Core production systems, safety systems |
| Important for business success | Customer service, financial reporting |
| Significant but not critical | Reporting systems, analytical tools |
| Supporting functions | Nice-to-have features, convenience tools |
Availability (availability)
Value | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Continuous availability required | Critical production systems, emergency services |
| Available during business hours | Office applications, administrative systems |
| Available when needed | Analytical tools, reporting systems |
| Available during specific periods | Holiday processing, seasonal operations |
| Available during scheduled windows | Batch processing, maintenance windows |
Scalability (scalability)
Value | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Can scale easily with demand | Cloud-based services, automated systems |
| Can scale with some effort | Traditional applications, manual processes |
| Difficult to scale | Legacy systems, resource-constrained processes |
| Cannot scale beyond current capacity | Fixed-capacity systems, manual operations |
Capability Function Elements
Sub-Element | Type | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| String | Name/title of the function | "Track Geometry Measurement" |
| String | Detailed explanation of the function | "Automated measurement of track geometry parameters" |
| String | Intended purpose of the function | "Ensure compliance with FRA track geometry standards" |
| String | Individual/team responsible for the function | "Track Geometry Program Manager" |
| String | Organization unit(s) where function resides | "Track Inspection Division" |
| Enum | Type of function |
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| String | Required inputs to perform the function | "Raw sensor data, track class information" |
| String | Outputs or deliverables produced | "Geometry exception reports, maintenance alerts" |
| String | Processes involved in the function | "Data collection, analysis, reporting, validation" |
| String | Metrics for measuring function effectiveness | "Data processing speed, accuracy rates" |
| Enum | How often the function is performed |
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Function Type (functionType)
Value | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Core function central to capability | Main processing function |
| Important but not central function | Quality assurance function |
| Assists primary functions | Data preparation function |
| Enables other functions to work | Configuration management function |
Frequency (frequency)
Value | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Operates continuously | Real-time monitoring |
| Immediate response | Emergency response |
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