The implementation of Defence Resolution 2021-2025, which means an increase in both ambition and appropriation to the total defence, is expected to lead to a considerable increase of the Armed Forces' capabilities. The development organization will be faced with a series of challenges in this process. Their competence to lead and carry out development activities will be central to the ability to develop capability. Competence can be regarded as the ability to solve a task by applying knowledge and skills. Despite the fact that competence is a frequently used concept, there is a lack of a consistent definition. This report forms part of the initial work in the R&D project "Competence for capability development of the future". The main focus of the study concerned the provision of competence to the Swedish Armed Forces' development organization. A literature review was carried out in the form of database searches as well as the review of other input such as previous FOI publications on the theme of competence and project members' previous relevant work. The meaning of the concept of competence, strategic competence supply and approaches to the development and preservation of competence were addressed. For the ability to develop capabilities, the Armed Forces need to clarify approaches for recruitment and development of those who work with development and also understand what competence and ability to develop capabilities mean for the Armed Forces. The report is intended as a contribution to the Swedish Armed Forces' work to strengthen the development organization in the short and long term.