Capabilities define competitive advantages an organization possesses, and attaining desired capabilities is a challenging task. This paper proposes to use reference models as a basis for the capability design, and it focuses on usage of the SCOR model for designing supply chain management capabilities. The paper outlines a method for the reference model based capability design. The method relies on the correspondence among concepts used in capability modeling and concepts used in the SCOR model. The capability is designed by selecting and combining appropriate process categories and metrics from the reference model. Best practices defined in the referenced model are packaged as capability delivery patterns and are also used in capability design as reusable process fragments. The reference model provides sound foundations for the capability design while capability-oriented view of the reference model enriches it with contextual information