Capabilities versus outcomes
Before we can define success, we need to start by grounding ourselves on a few key definitions. First, we need to define what a capability and an outcome are, and then slice that between business and data flavors:
- Capability: The ability or capacity to do something and achieve a desired outcome.
- Outcome: The final result or consequence of an event or situation. This can be a positive or negative outcome.
Keep in mind that capabilities have outcomes. For each capability, a single or collection of outcomes should be prescribed. Before beginning to deliver the capability, you should take time to define the expected outcomes. But if you haven’t, it’s never too late to define the outcomes expected for each capability. You may also have expected outcomes and unexpected outcomes. For example, I exercised today, and I expect to experience muscle soreness tomorrow. I did not expect to be so sore it would hurt to walk.
Now, let...