Core Competency Mapping

So geht's

1. 1

   Introduce the three tests for a core competency: (1) does it deliver significant customer value? (2) is it difficult for competitors to imitate? (3) can it be leveraged across multiple markets or products?

2. 2

   Brainstorm capabilities: what does your organization do well? Cast a wide net — encourage teams to think about processes, skills, technology, knowledge, and relationships.

3. 3

   Apply the three tests: for each candidate capability, assess it against all three criteria. Use a 1-3 scoring per test. Only capabilities scoring 2-3 on all three are true core competencies.

4. 4

   Map the competency landscape: plot competencies on a 2x2 of Customer Value (y-axis) vs. Imitability Difficulty (x-axis). True core competencies sit top-right.

5. 5

   Assess current investment: are you investing enough in your real core competencies? Where are you over-investing in non-core capabilities?

6. 6

   Identify gaps: what core competencies does your strategy require in 3 years that you don't have today? How will you build or acquire them?

7. 7

   Decide what to protect, build, and outsource: which capabilities should never be outsourced? Which are commodities that you can safely buy externally?

8. 8

   Link to strategy: how should your core competencies shape where you compete and how you differentiate?

Tipps

• Teams often confuse core competencies with assets or products.

• Challenge everything: 'Is this actually hard to replicate? Would a competitor struggle to build this in 2-3 years?' Be honest about where you're 'table stakes' vs.

• genuinely differentiated.

• The exercise is more valuable for what it removes (generic capabilities) than what it confirms.

Variationen

Run a 'Competency Gap Analysis' comparing current vs. required competencies for future strategy. Combine with Value Chain Analysis to map competencies to activities. Use in M&A due diligence to assess strategic fit.