A Business Capability Matrix is a strategic tool used to map out what a business does—its core capabilities—without getting bogged down in how those activities are executed (systems, processes, org structures).
It provides a high-level, non-technical view that helps align business priorities with IT investments by focusing on capabilities, such as:
Customer Relationship Management
Product Development
Supply Chain Planning
Financial Reporting
Each capability can be assessed or “overlaid” with key data points like:
Application support (what apps support which capabilities)
Maturity level
Business ownership
Risk exposure
Cost to maintain or enhance
For example:
1) Take a Business Capability Model or Map like this:
2) Now overlay that capability map with the applications that underpin it and add important layers to create a matrix representation of how the technology mixes with your business capability like this:
In this image we see Business Capability + supporting applications that deliver it to the enterprise – the applications are ranked by criticality to the business operations.
You can add any lens – such as cost, risk, technical fit etc.
This kind of matrix helps leaders:
See overlaps or gaps
Prioritise digital investments
Identify risk hotspots
Align IT efforts with business goals
We use SAP LeanIX and its business capability matrix views to give your enterprise a real time “always on” insight into the significant aspects of your technology and how to impacts and supports your enterprise. Emphasys helps you obtain these insights by implementing SAP LeanIX in 25 days for your enterprise.