Flevy Management Insights Q&A
How can Business Capability Modeling be integrated with enterprise risk management to mitigate risks more effectively?
     Joseph Robinson    |    Business Capability Model


This article provides a detailed response to: How can Business Capability Modeling be integrated with enterprise risk management to mitigate risks more effectively? For a comprehensive understanding of Business Capability Model, we also include relevant case studies for further reading and links to Business Capability Model best practice resources.

TLDR Integrating Business Capability Modeling with Enterprise Risk Management allows organizations to align capabilities with risk strategies, improving resilience and strategic decision-making.

Reading time: 5 minutes

Before we begin, let's review some important management concepts, as they related to this question.

What does Business Capability Modeling mean?
What does Enterprise Risk Management mean?
What does Strategic Alignment mean?
What does Risk Mitigation Strategies mean?


Integrating Business Capability Modeling (BCM) with Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) is a strategic approach that enhances an organization's ability to identify, assess, and mitigate risks effectively. This integration can lead to more resilient operations, improved strategic decision-making, and a competitive advantage in the marketplace. By understanding and applying the principles of both BCM and ERM, organizations can create a robust framework for managing risks in a dynamic business environment.

Understanding Business Capability Modeling and Enterprise Risk Management

Business Capability Modeling is a methodological approach that provides a comprehensive view of an organization's abilities to execute its strategy. It defines the core abilities and processes an organization must have to achieve its business objectives. BCM focuses on the 'what' of an organization's functions, separating the operational activities from the strategic intent. This clarity is crucial for identifying areas of strength, improvement, and innovation.

Enterprise Risk Management, on the other hand, is a framework for identifying, assessing, managing, and monitoring the risks that could potentially impact an organization's ability to achieve its objectives. ERM is holistic and encompasses all areas of an organization's risk, including strategic, operational, financial, and compliance risks. The goal of ERM is not to eliminate risk but to understand it thoroughly and manage it effectively to minimize negative impacts and capitalize on opportunities.

By integrating BCM with ERM, organizations can align their capabilities with their risk management strategies. This alignment ensures that the organization's capabilities are developed and reinforced with a clear understanding of the associated risks. It also helps in prioritizing risk management efforts based on the criticality of different capabilities to the organization's strategic objectives.

Are you familiar with Flevy? We are you shortcut to immediate value.
Flevy provides business best practices—the same as those produced by top-tier consulting firms and used by Fortune 100 companies. Our best practice business frameworks, financial models, and templates are of the same caliber as those produced by top-tier management consulting firms, like McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte, and Accenture. Most were developed by seasoned executives and consultants with 20+ years of experience.

Trusted by over 10,000+ Client Organizations
Since 2012, we have provided best practices to over 10,000 businesses and organizations of all sizes, from startups and small businesses to the Fortune 100, in over 130 countries.
AT&T GE Cisco Intel IBM Coke Dell Toyota HP Nike Samsung Microsoft Astrazeneca JP Morgan KPMG Walgreens Walmart 3M Kaiser Oracle SAP Google E&Y Volvo Bosch Merck Fedex Shell Amgen Eli Lilly Roche AIG Abbott Amazon PwC T-Mobile Broadcom Bayer Pearson Titleist ConEd Pfizer NTT Data Schwab

Strategic Integration of BCM and ERM

The first step in integrating BCM with ERM is to map out the organization's business capabilities and identify the risks associated with each capability. This involves a detailed analysis of how each capability contributes to the organization's strategic objectives and the potential risks that could undermine these capabilities. For example, a capability like "Supply Chain Management" may be identified as critical for an organization's success, but it may also be vulnerable to risks such as supplier failure, logistics disruptions, or geopolitical tensions.

Once the capabilities and associated risks are identified, the next step is to assess the likelihood and impact of these risks. This assessment should be based on data and insights from across the organization and, where possible, industry benchmarks or insights from consulting firms like McKinsey or Gartner. For instance, Gartner's research on supply chain resilience can provide valuable benchmarks for understanding the risks in supply chain management and the best practices for mitigating these risks.

After assessing the risks, organizations should develop and implement risk mitigation strategies that are tailored to protect and enhance their critical capabilities. This might involve investing in new technologies, diversifying suppliers, or developing new skills within the workforce. The key is to ensure that these strategies are integrated into the organization's overall strategic planning and performance management processes.

Real-World Examples and Benefits

One real-world example of the successful integration of BCM and ERM is seen in the financial services industry. Banks and financial institutions face a myriad of risks, from cyber threats to regulatory compliance risks. By mapping out their critical business capabilities, such as transaction processing, customer data management, and compliance monitoring, and then integrating these with their ERM processes, these institutions can better prioritize their risk management efforts. For example, after identifying "Customer Data Management" as a critical capability, a bank may decide to invest in advanced cybersecurity measures and regular compliance training for staff, thereby mitigating the risks of data breaches and regulatory fines.

The benefits of integrating BCM with ERM are significant. Organizations can achieve a more nuanced understanding of their risk landscape, which in turn leads to more effective risk mitigation strategies. This integration also supports better resource allocation, ensuring that efforts and investments are focused on protecting and enhancing the capabilities that are most critical to the organization's success. Additionally, by embedding risk management into capability planning, organizations can foster a culture of risk awareness and proactive risk management across all levels of the organization.

In conclusion, the integration of Business Capability Modeling with Enterprise Risk Management offers a strategic approach to managing risks in today's complex business environment. By aligning an organization's capabilities with its risk management efforts, leaders can ensure that their organizations are not only resilient in the face of challenges but are also positioned to capitalize on opportunities for growth and innovation. This strategic integration is not a one-time effort but an ongoing process that requires continuous attention and adaptation to the changing business and risk landscape.

Best Practices in Business Capability Model

Here are best practices relevant to Business Capability Model from the Flevy Marketplace. View all our Business Capability Model materials here.

Did you know?
The average daily rate of a McKinsey consultant is $6,625 (not including expenses). The average price of a Flevy document is $65.

Explore all of our best practices in: Business Capability Model

Business Capability Model Case Studies

For a practical understanding of Business Capability Model, take a look at these case studies.

E-Commerce Platform Digital Transformation for Specialty Retail

Scenario: A specialty retail firm in the e-commerce sector is facing challenges in aligning its technology investments with strategic business outcomes.

Read Full Case Study

Business Capability Transformation in Sports Media

Scenario: The organization, a sports media company, faces challenges in adapting its Business Capability Model to the rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Read Full Case Study

Capability Model Refinement for Telecom Operator

Scenario: The organization is a leading telecom operator facing challenges with its existing Business Capability Model which has become misaligned with the evolving market dynamics and technology landscape.

Read Full Case Study

Strategic Business Capability Modeling for Aerospace Manufacturer in Competitive Landscape

Scenario: The organization in focus operates within the aerospace sector and has recently encountered operational hurdles impacting its market competitiveness.

Read Full Case Study

Telecom Capability Transformation for a European Mobile Operator

Scenario: The organization in question is a well-established mobile telecom operator in Europe facing a plateau in growth and market share.

Read Full Case Study

E-Commerce Capability Model Refinement for Luxury Apparel Retailer

Scenario: A mid-sized luxury apparel retailer has seen its e-commerce market share stagnate in a highly competitive online retail space.

Read Full Case Study

Explore all Flevy Management Case Studies

Related Questions

Here are our additional questions you may be interested in.

In what ways can Business Capability Modeling support the development of new business models or revenue streams?
Business Capability Modeling supports new business models and revenue streams by identifying unmet customer needs, optimizing capabilities for new markets, and leveraging technology for innovation, enhancing Strategic Planning and Innovation. [Read full explanation]
How can Business Capability Modeling facilitate better decision-making in mergers and acquisitions?
Business Capability Modeling enhances M&A decision-making by offering insights into Strategic Alignment, Synergy Potential, Risk Management, and Integration Challenges, facilitating a comprehensive analysis for maximizing value and success. [Read full explanation]
How is artificial intelligence reshaping Business Capability Modeling practices?
AI is revolutionizing Business Capability Modeling by improving Strategic Decision-Making, Operational Excellence, and driving Innovation for competitive advantage in the digital age. [Read full explanation]
What role will IoT (Internet of Things) play in evolving Business Capability Models in the next decade?
IoT is set to transform Business Capability Models by improving Customer Experience, revolutionizing Supply Chain Management, and empowering Data-Driven Decision Making, driving organizational transformation in the digital age. [Read full explanation]
What are the challenges of implementing Business Capability Modeling in a highly decentralized organization?
Implementing Business Capability Modeling in a decentralized organization requires overcoming alignment, cultural resistance, and system integration challenges through centralized governance, effective Change Management, and flexible integration strategies. [Read full explanation]
What impact does the increasing importance of sustainability have on Business Capability Modeling?
The increasing importance of sustainability significantly impacts Business Capability Modeling by driving the integration of ESG criteria into Strategic Planning, adopting Digital Technologies for sustainability goals, and enhancing capabilities in measuring and reporting sustainability performance. [Read full explanation]

Source: Executive Q&A: Business Capability Model Questions, Flevy Management Insights, 2024


Flevy is the world's largest knowledge base of best practices.


Leverage the Experience of Experts.

Find documents of the same caliber as those used by top-tier consulting firms, like McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte, Accenture.

Download Immediately and Use.

Our PowerPoint presentations, Excel workbooks, and Word documents are completely customizable, including rebrandable.

Save Time, Effort, and Money.

Save yourself and your employees countless hours. Use that time to work on more value-added and fulfilling activities.




Read Customer Testimonials



Download our FREE Strategy & Transformation Framework Templates

Download our free compilation of 50+ Strategy & Transformation slides and templates. Frameworks include McKinsey 7-S Strategy Model, Balanced Scorecard, Disruptive Innovation, BCG Experience Curve, and many more.