TOGAF® Standard, 10th Edition · OGEA-101 Foundation · Quick revision
Capability
Official definition — learn word for word
“An ability that an organization, person, or system possesses.”
Business Capability (§4.28): “A particular ability that a business may possess or exchange to achieve a specific purpose.”
Capability Increment (§4.35): “A discrete portion of a capability architecture that delivers specific value. When all increments have been completed, the capability has been realized.”
Source: CC §4.33 · §4.28 · §4.35
Memory aid
Capability = WHAT we can do. Increment = the next slice of it. All slices done = realized.
Memory aid — not TOGAF wording.
In plain words
A capability is something the organization can do — like “collect fees online” — regardless of which people, process or system does it.
Plain-English summary — not TOGAF wording.
Worked example
DUK's target capability “collect fees online” is delivered in increments: first card payments, then UPI, then automatic refunds. Only when all increments are done is the capability fully realized.
Illustrative example (Digital University Kerala) — not from the Standard.
01Mind map — related concepts
Capability
GENERAL
An ability of an org, person, or system
BUSINESS CAPABILITY
Ability to achieve a specific purpose
INCREMENTS
Discrete portions; all done = realized
PHASE A · 3.3.4
Evaluate Capabilities → Capability Assessment
CAPABILITY ARCH.
Lowest landscape level (§4.34)
NOT TO CONFUSE WITH
Architecture Capability (ability to do EA)
Source: CC §4.28, §4.33–4.35 · ADM §3.3.4
02Capability family
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Capability (§4.33) | An ability that an organization, person, or system possesses |
| Business Capability (§4.28) | A particular ability that a business may possess or exchange to achieve a specific purpose |
| Capability Increment (§4.35) | A discrete portion of a capability architecture that delivers specific value |
| Capability Architecture (§4.34) | An architecture that describes the abilities that an enterprise possesses |
| Architecture Capability | What the Preliminary Phase creates — the enterprise's ability to do architecture (CC §3.4) |
Source: CC §3.4, §4.28, §4.33–4.35
03Phase A · 3.3.4 Evaluate Capabilities
Architecture Capabilitycan the enterprise develop and consume the architecture?
gaps → iterate with Preliminary
Business capabilitiesbaseline and target capability levels
Capability Assessmentresults documented; detailed business-capability gaps belong in Phase B
Source: ADM §3.3.4
04Where it appears in the ADM
Phase A · Step 3.3.4
Evaluate Capabilities — results documented in a Capability Assessment.
ADM §3.3.4
Phase B
The detailed assessment of business capability gaps belongs in Phase B.
ADM §3.3.4
Phase E · Step 9.3.9
Top-level work packages are decomposed into increments to deliver the capability increments.
ADM §9.3.9
05Exam traps
“Detailed business capability gaps are assessed in Phase A” → That belongs in Phase B; Phase A evaluates at a higher level
“Architecture Capability and business capability are the same” → Architecture Capability = the ability to do EA (Preliminary)
“A capability is realized after the first increment” → When all increments have been completed
“Only organizations have capabilities” → An organization, person, or system
06Self-test — tap to reveal
Q1Define capability.
An ability that an organization, person, or system possesses.
Q2Define business capability.
A particular ability that a business may possess or exchange to achieve a specific purpose.
Q3What is a capability increment?
A discrete portion of a capability architecture that delivers specific value.
Q4When is a capability realized?
When all increments have been completed.
Q5Which Phase A step evaluates capabilities?
Step 3.3.4.
Q6Where are the results documented?
In a Capability Assessment.
Q7Where does detailed business-capability gap assessment belong?
Phase B.
Q8Which phase creates the Architecture Capability?
The Preliminary Phase.