Worksheet: Name the few capabilities the strategy depends on

Every strategy needs some things done better than anyone else does them. This sheet finds the two or three that matter and puts a funded plan on each gap. It builds the Competent step of the check:

The few capabilities that must be world-class are named, and gaps have plans.

Step 1. List the candidates

Look in four places: operating skills, assets nobody else holds (brand, network, data, licences), relationships, and skills that enable growth such as acquisitions or pricing.

Step 2. Test each one

A capability is critical when it passes at least three of these five tests.

Capability	Needed for which choice	Customers value it?	Hard to copy?	Hard to replace?	Lasts five years or more?	Hard to buy in?	Critical?
e.g. Pricing analytics	Win on margin in trade	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes (3 of 5)

Step 3. Plan the gaps

Critical capability	Where we are (1 to 5)	Where the strategy needs us (1 to 5)	How we close it (hire, build, buy, partner)	Budget line	Owner	By when
e.g. Pricing analytics	2	4	Hire a pricing lead; license a tool	Opex, FY27	CFO	Q2 FY27

Fund each gap as an investment with its own budget line. A training course alone does not close a critical gap.

Done when: the strategy names two or three critical capabilities, and each gap has an owner, a budget line and a date.

Adapted from our own frameworks overview (PJP, 2015).