This document discusses competence and competency analysis. It defines competence as the abilities and qualifications needed to perform a job, while competency refers to the skills, knowledge, and behaviors required. Competence analysis identifies the elements of a job and acceptable performance standards. Competency analysis examines effective and ineffective behavioral dimensions. Approaches to analysis include expert opinion, structured interviews, workshops involving experts, and critical incident techniques that observe behaviors. Workshops are considered the best approach for competency analysis.
2. What is Competence?
The word competence, though common in day to day
parlance as ability or qualification of an individual, has many
connotations in different fields.
For example, in biology, competence refers to the ability of a
cell to take up DNA.
In geology, competence of the rock the resistance it offers
against erosion.
In jurisprudence, competence of a witness means the mental
capacity of the person to participate in legal proceedings.
However, the maximum use of competence is done in the
industry where it has come to refer to specific requirements
from an individual to perform a given job.
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3. Three Levels of
Competences
1. Core Competences – Organizational Level. An organization
has to be good at various things such as customer orientation,
producing high-quality goods or services, innovation, adding
value through the effective use of resources and managing
costs.
2. Generic Competences – Shared by group of similar jobs such
as financial accountants, system analysts, team leader etc.
3. Role-specific competences- Unique to a particular role.
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4. What is Competency?
Competency on the other hand, in industrial jargon, refers
to description of skills and knowledge along with
experience, behaviour and other attributes that are
necessary to perform a task or job.
In simple words, competencies are skills required for a job.
Thus when you are shown competencies, it means you
have been described what has to be done and how well.
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6. Competence Analysis
Competence is about what people have to do to
achieve results and it is not about how they do it.
Answers to the following questions are to be
obtained to do the analysis:-
What are the elements of this job – what does the
job-holder have to do?
For each element, what is an acceptable standard
of performance?
What levels and types of knowledge and skills are
required to ensure that the job-holder is fully
capable in each element of the job?
How will role-holders and their managers know that
the required levels of competence have been
achieved?
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7. Competence Analysis at
Southern Focus Trust
Core Competences were:
1. Provide quality service.
2. Manage the business and provision of services effectively.
3. Ensure that accountabilities are defined, accepted and
fulfilled.
4. Acquire, develop and use professional expertise to deliver
services.
5. Develop and apply interpersonal skills to achieve aims and
standards and to comply with the Trust’s core values.
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8. Competency Analysis
It is concerned with the behavioural dimensions of
roles which considers what people have to do to
perform well.
How do people in this role behave when they
carry it out effectively or ineffectively?
The answer to the above question will help us
define the competencies and differentiate the
positive and negative sets of behaviour.
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9. Approaches to
Competency Analysis
1. Expert opinion
Least satisfactory.
HR department experts make a list of ‘what counts’.
Line managers and job-holders no involved and thus the list is
unacceptable.
2. Structured interview
Expert prepare a list of competence headings.
Take interviews to sought effective and ineffective behaviours in
different areas.
Should instead take interviews first and then group specific types of
behaviour under competence headings.
3. Workshops
Bring together expert people in their fields along with a facilitator.
The members give examples of what kind of behaviour is effective and
ineffective for a particular job. List down and group those
competencies
E.g. Divisional HR director/Manager.
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10. Approaches to
Competency Analysis…
4. Functional analysis
Distinction made between tasks (activities) and functions (purpose).
5. Critical incident technique
Event – good or bad and Behaviour – effective or less effective.
Observe the behaviour. Make corrections if less effective behaviour.
6. Repertory grid analysis
Personal construct theory. Way we behave or view other people’s
behaviour.
Procedure is known as ‘Triadic method of elicitation’.
7. Job competency assessment
David McClelland established 20 competencies and grouped them in 6
clusters.
Competency assessment method for generic roles which have same basic
accountabilities. E.g. Research scientists or area sales manager.
Investigative interviews are taken. Information on ‘How they behave in their
job, what are their thoughts and actions’ is gathered by trained interviewer.
Helps distinguish between superior performer and average performer.
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11. Which Approach?
Critical incident and repertory – grid -> time consuming
and needs experience to be effective.
Job competency assessment -> for those who have not
got time or money to use any other approach.
Workshop -> best among all.
Functional analysis -> used when the main objective is to
develop NVQ standards.
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