In TOGAF, a business capability represents a high-level abstraction of what a business does, independent of how, why, or where the capability is used. Here’s a detailed explanation:

Definition of Business Capability:

Business Capability: A business capability describes the capacity or ability of a business to act or achieve a specific outcome. It is an abstraction of the business functions, representing what the business does.

Key Characteristics:

What, Not How: A business capability focuses on what the business does, without delving into the specifics of how, why, or where it is implemented or utilized. This abstraction helps in maintaining a clear and consistent understanding across the organization.

Independence: Business capabilities are designed to be independent of the organizational structure, processes, or systems that support them. This ensures that they remain stable even as the organization evolves.

TOGAF References:

Phase B: Business Architecture: In this phase, business capabilities are identified and mapped to understand the core functions of the business. This helps in aligning the architecture with business strategy and objectives.

Capability-Based Planning: TOGAF emphasizes capability-based planning, where business capabilities are used as the foundation for planning and decision-making.

Importance:

Strategic Alignment: Business capabilities provide a stable and consistent view of what the business does, which is crucial for aligning the architecture with strategic goals.

Foundation for Analysis: By focusing on what the business does, capabilities serve as a foundation for various analyses, including gap analysis, impact analysis, and capability maturity assessments.

In summary, a business capability delineates what a business does without an explanation of how, why, or where the capability is used, providing a stable and consistent foundation for strategic planning and architecture development.