In Jibility, a capability map is comprised of one or more groups. A group, which can be either a Grid or a Value Stream, is a collection of capabilities.

The capabilities in a group can be a Reference Capability or a Linked Capability. A Reference Capability is the source definition of a capability. Each Reference Capability can be represented only once on the capability map.

So, what if you wanted to represent the same capability in multiple groups or within multiple Value Stages in a Value Stream? We can do that by creating one or more Linked Capabilities from a Reference Capability.

Given that a Linked Capability is just a view of a Reference Capability, changing the properties of a Reference Capability will also change the same properties for all its Linked Capabilities.

Here are some example use cases for Reference and Linked Capabilities

In our core business value stream from Marketing to Customer Success we have the Manufacturing and Dispatch value stages. The Supply Chain Management capability is applicable in both of these stages. So, we create a Supply Chain Management Linked Capability under both the Manufacturing and Dispatch value stages, as illustrated below.

Of course, we could have placed the Supply Chain Management Reference Capability in either the Manufacturing or the Dispatch value stages. The limitation that a Reference Capability has is that it cannot be represented more than one time on the map. So we would not be able to show a Reference Capability in both the Manufacturing and Dispatch value stage at the same time. A Linked Capability solves this problem.

In the following higher education example we have a simplified Learning and Teaching value stream that shows just three value stages: Recruit, Enrol and Deliver. Below the value stream we also have our enabling capabilities.

In the illustration below, we can imply that the capabilities in the Enabling Capability group are applicable or enable the value stages above (as indicated by the arrow). But, it is not possible to know which enabling capabilities are applicable and to which value stage.

Using Linked capabilities, we can show the specific capabilities that enable each value stage. So, in the illustrated example below, we can see that Marketing Management enables the Recruit value stage. Student Admission & Administration enables both the Recruit and Enrol value stage. Student Support Services enable the Enrol and Deliver value stage. Finally, Curriculum Improvement enabled the Deliver value stage.

Importantly, using Linked Capabilities does not create duplicate capabilities that you have to maintain separately and manually. Changes made to the properties of the Reference or Linked Capabilities are applied to the Reference and Linked Capabilities automatically.

A Reference Capability has a solid border, can have sub-capabilities and you can expand or collapse it to show only the level one capability or the level one and two capabilities.

A Linked Capability has a dash line border, is representing a level one, two or three capability and has an arrow in the top right corner to jump and select its reference capability.

In the following example, the reference capability is Supply Chain Management with a sub-capability Supply Chain Sourcing and a third level capability called Supplier Selection. You can create a Linked Capability for Supply Chain Management, Supply Chain Sourcing or Supplier Selection.

Note, the Linked Capability shows on vertical bar on the left to indicate a Level 1 capability, two vertical bars for a Level 2 capability and three bars for a Level 3 capability.

A Linked Capability is created from an existing Reference Capability or an existing Linked Capability. Therefore the capability must already be placed on the capability map.

1) Select the reference capability or a linked capability

2) Hold the CTRL key and then drag and drop the capability into another grid cell or value stage cell.

See animated example below. Note, the user is holding the CTRL key as the capability is dragged and then dropped.