Determine Internal Capabilities
Determining Internal Capabilities is the process of assessing an organisation's strengths, resources, skills, and unique attributes to identify its competitive advantage — often referred to as its "unfair advantage." This involves a thorough analysis of internal processes, talent, technology, and intellectual property.
Goal
The goal is to pinpoint the unique strengths and capabilities that set the organisation apart from competitors, which can be leveraged to achieve market dominance, innovate, and deliver exceptional value to customers.
Context
Every organisation has unique capabilities that can be harnessed to drive success. By identifying and exploiting these internal strengths, organisations can differentiate themselves in the market, create barriers to entry for competitors, and deliver exceptional products and services that meet customer needs.
Inputs
| Artifact | Description |
|---|---|
| Employee Skill Inventories | Detailed listings of employee skills, certifications, and experiences, helping to identify unique competencies. |
| Technology and IP Portfolios | Inventories of technological assets and intellectual property, including patents, proprietary technologies, and unique software tools. |
Outputs
| Artifact | Description | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| How to Win Insights | Insights into how the organisation can leverage its unique capabilities to gain a competitive advantage. | Guides strategic planning and decision-making, focusing efforts on leveraging unique strengths. |
Anti-patterns
- Overlooking Emerging Capabilities: Failing to recognise and develop nascent strengths that could become future competitive advantages.
- Underutilising Unique Assets: Not fully leveraging unique resources, skills, or intellectual property that could differentiate the organisation.