Enabling Functions provide internal services and governance to enhance an organization's delivery capability, focusing on compliance and optimization rather than direct value creation.
Characteristics
- Provision of internal services
- Mostly organized as central departments
- Not directly involved in value creation
- High impact on delivery capability
Examples
- HR for hiring
- Controlling for budgeting
- Legal for contract review
Description
Enabling Functions provide internal services and governance that enhance the organization’s ability to deliver value. They create the organizational context that allows delivery systems to operate effectively, defining and maintaining essential policies, practices, and resources that safeguard and strengthen overall capability.
Structural and Functional Role
Typically organized as stable units responsible for cross-organizational processes, frameworks, and expertise. Their focus lies in enablement, compliance, and optimization rather than direct delivery.
Distinguishing Features
- Internal service orientation
- Influence on capability and compliance
- Often centralized but can be federated for agility
- Focus on governance and support
Relationships to Other System Types
- Serve all other system types through policies and shared services
- Depend on Supporting systems for operational infrastructure
- Occasionally form Pop-Up initiatives for transformation or process redesign
Lifecycle or Stability
Highly stable; foundational to organizational continuity.