Competency Assessment

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 Content

• Types of Competency assessment

• SS Station Assessment features
• Sample competency questions
• Using SS Station to conduct assessment
 Types of Competency assessment
• case studies
• In-basket exercises
• Job sample tests/Skills tests
• Direct Observation
• Oral and written tests
• Portfolios
• Projects and assignments
• Questioning and demonstration
• Simulation exercises
• Trainability tests
 case studies

The purpose of the case study method is to inter alia

teach participants the ability to analyze and criticize
their own assumptions and interpretations.
 In-basket exercises
present each employee with an in-basket
such as that found on virtually every office desk.
It contains the typical problems, questions and
directives related to the specific job.
 Job sample tests/Skills tests
are work samples that may include practical or
pen and paper tests in which the applicant
performs a task that forms a critical aspect of
the job.
 Direct Observation
is where an assessment practitioner observes
a person carrying out a particular task or work
activity in a controlled or uncontrolled situation,
making a formal or informal record of the
observations.
 Oral and written tests
may be used as an adjunct to a practical test or
where the person does not have sufficient
literacy ability to deal with written questions or
in circumstances where knowledge needs to be
assessed by itself, unrelated to specific
performance.
 Portfolios
are useful for assessing skills achieved in the
past and are largely the responsibility of the
person being assessed. These include log books,
referees and records of achievements.
 Projects and assignments
may be used to assess ability to complete a task
as an individual or in a team/working group.
 Questioning and demonstration
consists of a structured practical demonstration
followed by administration of a set of questions
relating to the process, behavior and finished
product of the person being assessed.
Questioning techniques are especially useful in
problem-based assessment.
 Simulation exercises
normally take the form of a role play
during which an actual job, employee, customer
and workplace situation is simulated - usually
one where interpersonal skills and behaviours
are critical. The candidate therefore must
demonstrate his or her ability (by acting out or
playing the role) to deal with an interpersonal
situation which frequently occurs in the job
 Trainability tests

are practical tests in which the candidate is taught

or shown a critical task which is related to the job.
The candidate has a chance to practice, and must
then demonstrate his or her ability to learn the
tasks associated with satisfactory performance on
the job. Trainability tests therefore measure a
person’s level of natural aptitude, as well as their
existing level of skill.
 SS Station Assessment features
• Multiple-choice assessments
• Point and click assessments
• Short answer assessments
• Project submission assessments
• Practical assessment monitoring
• Self-assessment
 Multiple-choice assessments
• Online multiple choice quizzes are
automatically assessed with feedback
provided. Questions asked in a random order
to prevent cheating, and can have any number
of correct/incorrect answer choices
 Point and click assessments
• Digital images can be used to ask questions.
Students can be asked to click on a particular
area of the image. If correct, this will be
automatically marked
 Short answer assessments
• In some cases you may require a more
comprehensive answer. Short answer allows
the employee to submit free text to answer
question(s). This has to be marked by a
supervisor.
 Project submission assessments
• Used when working towards N/SVQ’s where
evidence and write ups are required to
demonstrate skills and underpinning
knowledge.
• Files can also be added and referenced within
the portfolio entry. You could also structure a
Skill Group to replicate the range of N/SVQ
Units and Elements. This does not have to be
used solely for N/SVQ’s
 Practical assessment monitoring
• SS Station will not only record skills assessed
using online methods, but will also allow a
range of manually-entered data.
• Therefore, events such as training courses,
practical assessments, and other ‘work place
observations’ can also be recorded, and an
overall competency level generated from this
information
 Self-assessment
• Optionally allow staff to enter their own
competency levels.
• The easiest and fastest way to populate SS
Station with competency data. Administrators
can approve/decline/amend levels entered by
users to ensure accurate results
Sample competency questions
 Self-Confidence/Courage of
Convictions
• Definition:
Self-Confidence/Courage of Convictions is a belief in
one’s own capability as expressed in increasingly
challenging circumstances and confidence in one’s
decisions or opinions, within the framework of public
interest, ethics and values and organizational integrity.
It may include providing leadership, direction, and
inspiration to others by making difficult decisions and
taking actions that may not be popular but are in the
best interests of the organization and its clients.
 Find your proficiency level for this
competency.
Learner
Has Confidence In Own Opinions and Capability
• Speaks positively to peers or clients about initiatives
or programs that are not well-liked
• Speaks up to ensure people are properly informed, to
clarify inaccurate information
• Offers opinions which may differ from others
 Find your proficiency level for this
competency.
Contributor
Maintains Positions Even When Faced With
Opposition
• Proposes new or modified approaches, practices,
and processes and defends them effectively if
challenged
• Takes on activities and projects that need to be done,
even though they may not be easy or have popular
support
• Reassesses position in the face of justified or
persistent resistance
 Find your proficiency level for this
competency.
Leader
Maintains Confidence In Own Capabilities In Face of
Strong Challenges
• Speaks up when disagrees with management, clients,
or others in power, but disagrees tactfully, stating own
view clearly and confidently, even in a conflict
• In spite of complex challenges and no guarantees of
success or reward, moves issues or change initiatives
forward, on the basis of personal conviction that it is
the right thing to do
• Acknowledges personal responsibility for outcomes
from decisions made
 Find your proficiency level for this
competency.
Shaper
Deals With Extremely Challenging Situations With
Unwavering Self-assurance
• Confronts management or clients honestly, sometimes at the
risk of triggering a conflict
• Takes on extremely challenging, i.e., very risky personally,
positions willingly. For example, defending a minority opinion
when it is unpopular
• Makes decisions having significant consequences that are
good for the organization and consistent with the values of
the organization, subject to public scrutiny
• Instills a desire in groups of people to take action, through
encouragement and positive example
Describe a situation in which you demonstrated
this competency level below.
Self-Assessment
• Enter the number (1-4) that reflects how well you
met the expected level of performance for this
competency:

• Describe a situation(s) in which you demonstrated

this competency level.
 Use the following scale to determine
your current performance:
• Almost Attained (Learner) – Inconsistently or partially demonstrated the
behaviours required for effectiveness in current assignment. Consider for
Development Plan.

• Attained (Contributor) – Regularly demonstrated the behaviours at the

level required for effectiveness in current assignment.

• Surpassed (Leader) – Consistently demonstrated the behaviours which

surpass those required for effectiveness in current assignment.

• Greatly Exceeded (Shaper) – Not only demonstrated the behaviours far

above that required for effectiveness in the current assignment, but also
represents one of the very best examples of this behaviour that the rater
has witnessed.
Competency Gap Analysis Reports
• Produce reports from S SStation