Establishing Capability Standards
Establishing Capability Standards involves defining clear, measurable benchmarks for the core activities and competencies for each role and level within the product development process.
Goal
To ensure all members of the organisation have a clear understanding of the expectations of their role as well as the path for growth and development.
Context
The outcomes that you can achieve from a process are directly related to the ability of the team to execute the process effectively. Capability assessments help to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the team, enabling people to identify areas for improvement and growth.
Inputs
| Artifact | Description |
|---|---|
| Process Vision | A clear, concise statement of the desired state of the development process and the principles that guide it. |
Outputs
| Artifact | Description | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Process Concepts Assessments | Examination of awareness and buy-in for the key structures of the development process and expectations by level. | Ensures alignment with the principles and expectations of the process. |
| Research Capability Assessments | Examination of research practices to ensure that they align with the research principles and expectations by level. | Identifies gaps and opportunities for improvement in research activities. |
| Design Capability Assessments | Examination of design practices to ensure that they align with the design principles and expectations by level. | Identifies gaps and opportunities for improvement in design activities. |
| Development Capability Assessments | Examination of development practices to ensure that they align with the development principles and expectations by level. | Identifies gaps and opportunities for improvement in development activities. |
Anti-patterns
- Over-generalisation: Creating standards so broad that they fail to provide meaningful guidance or benchmarks for specific roles or situations.
- Static Standards: Failing to regularly update capability standards to reflect changes in strategy, technology, or market conditions.
- Misalignment with Culture: Establishing standards that conflict with the organisation's culture or values, leading to disengagement or resistance.
- Lack of Support for Development: Setting standards without providing resources or pathways for individuals to develop the required competencies.