Building Competencies
A competency is the capability to apply or use a set of related knowledge, skills, and abilities required to successfully perform “critical work functions” or tasks in a defined work setting. Competency framework defines the knowledge, skills, and attributes needed for people within an organization. Each individual role will have its own set of competencies needed to perform the job effectively.
Competencies usually fall into three categories:
category 1
Behavioural Competencies -
an expression of the softer skills involved in an employee’s performance.
category 2
Technical Competencies –
usually concerned with the effective use of any hard skills necessary for a job.
category 3
Leadership Competencies –
an expression of the qualities that make a good leader, turned into measurable behaviours.
Defining which competencies are necessary for success in your organization can help you do the following:
• Ensure that your people demonstrate sufficient expertise.
• Recruit and select new staff more effectively.
• Evaluate performance more effectively.
• Identify skill and competency gaps more efficiently.
• Provide more customized training and professional development.
• Plan sufficiently for succession.
• Make change management processes work more efficiently.