The Execution Challenge

Chapter 4Leveraging a Capability Perspective for Strategy Translation and Alignment

We have illuminated the execution challenge—a complex problem that organizations experience worldwide—which is rising to the top of the business agenda as a result of our fast-changing environments, with shorter strategy cycles and more change and uncertainty in most organizations. We articulated a vision for a more pragmatic, comprehensive approach to strategy execution to address that challenge, and we explored how strategic business architecture is a critical enabler from end to end. We then discussed the strategic business architecture toolkit, including each component and view within the strategic business architecture ecosystem, and how they fit together to create a shared understanding of an organization to help facilitate effective strategy execution and strategic decision-making.

So, how do we actually take business strategy and produce a set of coordinated and actionable results through the strategic business architecture? That is the question we will explore in this chapter, step-by-step, using the global apparel company example to illustrate the concepts where applicable.

As discussed earlier, capabilities are the nexus of strategic business architecture and strategy execution. Together with value streams, they serve as a focal point for informing and translating strategy into harmonized business changes; guiding program, project, and investment priorities; and providing a structure ...