Capabilities Quicksheet

Plan

Identify the people, tools, and partners to make it real.

A regional health department planning a heatwave alert system mapped out how to reach vulnerable groups—via SMS, radio, and community centers. They had weather data, SMS tools, and clinic ties, but lacked a heat-health risk model and rural access. Some needs, like message design, could be handled in-house. Others, like community outreach, required new partnerships.

Steps

1. Write “Distribution,” “Capabilities,” and “Partners” on big sheets of paper or boards.

2. With your team, list what’s required to bring your solution to life in each category. Think about how you’ll get your solution to people, what skills or tech you need, and who can help.

3. Highlight what’s already in place—people, tools, or relationships—and what’s still missing.

4. Organize your needs by who in the room can help. Create a new column or section for needs outside the team’s reach.

5. Spot the gaps.

   Ask:

   Do we need to bring in experts?

   Make new partnerships?

   Build or buy something?

   Make sure every key need is matched with a plan.

6. Use this overview to decide how you’ll staff your project and build a roadmap that makes it all real.

Based on the ideas of David Kelley and Tim Brown (early 2000s).

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