The global skills and competency framework for the digital world

Competency assessment LEDA

Assessing knowledge, skills, competency and behaviours by any means, whether formal or informal, against frameworks such as SFIA.

Revision notes

Updates for SFIA 9

  • Theme(s) influencing the updates for this skill: Making SFIA easier to consume (enhance readability/guidance/descriptions), Making SFIA easier to consume (new levels).
  • Guidance updated to aid understanding and application of this skill
  • New level 2 added to support entry-level roles.
  • Readability improvements have been made to level 3.
  • You can move to SFIA 9 when you are ready - SFIA 8 skill descriptions will still be available to use.
  • Previous SFIA assessments or skills mapping are not impacted by this change.

Guidance notes

Competency assessment is a specialised practice for evaluating skills and competencies, distinct from performance appraisals and general capability understanding. Unlike performance reviews which focus on job performance and contributions, competency assessment objectively measures technical and professional capabilities.

Assessments may be conducted in various contexts, including: recruitment, career progression, professional development planning, or accreditation/certification.

Activities may include, but are not limited to:

  • evaluating and selecting assessment options
  • adopting or adapting assessment methods, tools and techniques
  • considering the context of the assessment and how the results of the assessment will be used
  • aligning assessments with ethical, legal and regulatory requirements. 

Ethical, legal and regulatory requirements are essential for ensuring the integrity of assessments and protecting personal data.

Understanding the responsibility levels of this skill

Where lower levels are not defined...
  • Specific tasks and responsibilities are not defined because the skill requires a higher level of autonomy, influence, and complexity in decision-making than is typically expected at these levels. You can use the essence statements to understand the generic responsibilities associated with these levels.
Where higher levels are not defined...
  • Responsibilities and accountabilities are not defined because these higher levels involve strategic leadership and broader organisational influence that goes beyond the scope of this specific skill. See the essence statements.

Developing skills and demonstrating responsibilities related to this skill

The defined levels show the incremental progression in skills and responsibilities.

Where lower levels are not defined...

You can develop your knowledge and support others who do have responsibility in this area by:

  • Learning key concepts and principles related to this skill and its impact on your role
  • Performing related skills (see the related SFIA skills)
  • Supporting others who are performing higher level tasks and activities
Where higher levels are not defined...
  • You can progress by developing related skills which are better suited to higher levels of organisational leadership.

Show/hide extra descriptions and levels.

Levels of responsibility for this skill

2 3 4 5 6

Competency assessment: Level 2

Level 2 - Assist: Essence of the level: Provides assistance to others, works under routine supervision, and uses their discretion to address routine problems. Actively learns through training and on-the-job experiences.

Assists in the administration of competency assessments using standard tools and procedures under routine supervision.

Supports the collection and organisation of assessment data and results using specified methods and tools.

Helps create and maintain documentation.

Competency assessment: Level 3

Level 3 - Apply: Essence of the level: Performs varied tasks, sometimes complex and non-routine, using standard methods and procedures. Works under general direction, exercises discretion, and manages own work within deadlines. Proactively enhances skills and impact in the workplace.

Performs routine assessments of knowledge, skills, competencies, or behaviours using specified tools and methods.

Supports the collection, organisation, and review of assessment data to maintain accurate records.

Competency assessment: Level 4

Level 4 - Enable: Essence of the level: Performs diverse complex activities, supports and guides others, delegates tasks when appropriate, works autonomously under general direction, and contributes expertise to deliver team objectives.

Performs routine and non-routine assessments of knowledge, skill, competency or behaviour using specified methods.

Provides advice and guidance to support the adoption of assessment methods and tools.

Moderates assessments conducted by other assessors.

Reviews and improves usage and application of assessment methods and tools.

Competency assessment: Level 5

Level 5 - Ensure, advise: Essence of the level: Provides authoritative guidance in their field and works under broad direction. Accountable for delivering significant work outcomes, from analysis through execution to evaluation.

Provides advice and guidance on selecting, adopting and adapting assessment methods, tools and techniques.

Plans assessments based on the context of the assessment and how assessment results will be used.

Manages execution of assessments to ensure they deliver the required outcomes with acceptable quality. Monitors and moderates reviews performed by other assessors.

Manages reviews of the benefits and value of assessment methods and tools. Identifies and recommends improvements to assessment methods and tools.

Competency assessment: Level 6

Level 6 - Initiate, influence: Essence of the level: Has significant organisational influence, makes high-level decisions, shapes policies, demonstrates leadership, promotes organisational collaboration, and accepts accountability in key areas.

Champions the importance and value of assessment and appropriate assessment methods, tools and techniques.

Develops organisational policies, standards and guidelines for assessments.

Leads in the introduction and use of assessment methodologies and tools. Establishes an assessment practice and pool of assessors within the organisation.

Establishes quality assurance to ensure internal and/or external consistency and reliability of assessment outcomes. Ensures the quality of assessments across different user groups.

Keywords
Small change New level