How To Write Competency

To write a competency, also known as a competency statement or competency profile, you need to clearly define and describe the specific skills, knowledge, abilities, and behaviors required for a particular role or task. Here are the steps to write a competency:

1. Identify the purpose: Determine the purpose of the competency statement. Are you writing it for a job description, performance evaluation, or training program? Understanding the purpose will help you tailor the competency to the specific context.

2. Identify the competency: Identify the specific competency you want to write about. This could be a technical skill, a behavioral attribute, or a combination of both. For example, if you are writing a competency for a customer service role, you might choose "communication skills" as the competency.

3. Define the competency: Clearly define the competency in a concise and understandable manner. Use simple language and avoid jargon. For example, for the communication skills competency, you could define it as "the ability to effectively convey information, ideas, and emotions to others through verbal and non-verbal means."

4. Break it down: Break down the competency into its component parts. Identify the key skills, knowledge, abilities, and behaviors that make up the competency. For example, for communication skills, you might include active listening, clear articulation, empathy, and non-verbal communication.

5. Provide examples: Provide specific examples or behaviors that demonstrate the competency. These examples should be observable and measurable. For example, for active listening, you might include "actively engages in conversation by maintaining eye contact, nodding, and paraphrasing to ensure understanding."

6. Contextualize the competency: Consider the specific context in which the competency is required. Tailor the competency statement to the needs and expectations of the role or task. For example, for a leadership role, the communication skills competency might include the ability to communicate with diverse stakeholders and influence others.

7. Review and revise: Review the competency statement for clarity, relevance, and completeness. Make sure it accurately reflects the skills and behaviors required for the role or task. Revise as necessary to ensure it is concise and easy to understand.

8. Seek feedback: Share the competency statement with relevant stakeholders, such as supervisors, colleagues, or subject matter experts. Seek their feedback and incorporate their suggestions if appropriate.

9. Use action verbs: Use action verbs to describe the behaviors associated with the competency. This makes the competency statement more dynamic and impactful. For example, instead of saying "has good communication skills," you could say "effectively communicates ideas and information to diverse audiences."

10. Integrate with other competencies: Consider how the competency statement aligns with other competencies required for the role or task. Ensure there is consistency and coherence among all the competencies.

Remember, competencies should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). They should accurately reflect the requirements of the role or task and provide a clear framework for evaluating performance or identifying training needs.

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