supported relational dependency of capability

In the realm of business capabilities, a supported relational dependency signifies a relationship where one business capability enables or enhances the functionality of another, but isn't absolutely required for its basic operation. It's essentially a complementary capability that provides additional value or improves efficiency for the dependent capability.

Here's a deeper look at this concept:

Understanding Supported Dependencies:

• Business capabilities often work together in an ecosystem. While some dependencies are essential (required dependencies), others offer supportive functionalities.

• Supported dependencies contribute to improved performance, efficiency, or expanded functionalities of the dependent capability.

Distinguishing from Required Dependencies:

• Required dependencies: These are critical for the dependent capability to function at all. Without them, the dependent capability cannot perform its core activities. (e.g., Order Fulfillment depends on Inventory Management for stock data).

• Supported dependencies: These are valuable but not mandatory. The dependent capability can still operate on a basic level without them. (e.g., Order Fulfillment might benefit from a Customer Relationship Management system to personalize order confirmations, but it can still fulfill orders without it).

Example:

• Capability: Product Development

• Supported Relational Dependency: Market Research

  • Product Development can function by relying on internal expertise and historical data to create new products. However, Market Research provides valuable customer insights and trend analysis that can support the development of more innovative and market-aligned products.

Benefits of Identifying Supported Dependencies:

• Enhanced Capability Performance: Understanding supported dependencies allows organizations to leverage capabilities that can improve efficiency, quality, or innovation within a dependent capability.

• Improved Strategic Alignment: Identifying supportive functionalities can help organizations align capabilities with broader strategic goals that emphasize areas like customer focus or market competitiveness.

• Prioritization of Investments: By understanding the impact of supported dependencies, organizations can prioritize investments in capabilities that will deliver the most significant improvements to dependent capabilities.

• Identification of Optimization Opportunities: Supported dependencies can highlight areas where processes or functionalities can be streamlined or integrated across capabilities for better overall performance.

Key Points:

• Supported relational dependencies are valuable but not mandatory for a business capability to function.

• They offer additional functionalities or improve efficiency for the dependent capability.

• Identifying supported dependencies is crucial for optimizing capability performance, strategic alignment, and investment decisions.