Capability as a System

The system-of-interest for this System Description is the Capability as a System.

A capability realizes an ability (emergent property) that enables the organization to achieve their objectives. A capability is created through the interaction of people, process and technology. The performance of the needed capability is critical for the success of the enterprise or organization.

This document includes the following topics:

The following links to documents are available:

There are various definitions of capabilities:

  • ISO 9000:2015: ability of an object to realize an output that will fulfil the requirements for that output
  • TOGAF 9.1: An ability that an organization, person, or system possesses. Capabilities are typically expressed in general and high-level terms and typically require a combination of organization, people, processes, and technology to achieve.
  • DoDAF 2.0: The ability to achieve a Desired Effect under specified (performance) standards and conditions through combinations of ways and means (activities and resources) to perform a set of activities.

A Capability is a building block of teams or Organizations. .Capabilities are defined and realized through the interaction of people, process / information and technology. These elements are shown in the following picture:

Capability Realized through interaction of People, Process and Technology

Principles: Capability

The following principles apply to a capability:

  • A Capability is realized as an emergent property of a whole system.
  • A Capability is realized through the interaction of a person taking on a role to carry out specific process activities using appropriate technology.
  • A Capability is defined by a single process that allows the same work to be performed in many organizations.
  • A Capability can be replicated in many organizations.
  • A Capability can be described as 'what' (e.g. the result of the interaction of people, process / information and technology). The People, Process and Information and technology and their interaction describe how the capability is created.
  • A Capability has a name that is generally a noun and may be identical to the process name.

In addition, the following PDF provides examples of capabilities

Link to Capability Examples PDF