What is a competency matrix?

What goes in a competency matrix

A competency is a skill, behavior or piece of knowledge that shows in how someone does the job. Some are specific to the job, like prioritizing a product roadmap; others are behavioral, like communication. The matrix lists them in rows.

The columns are usually the levels of a career ladder. Each cell names the proficiency expected at that level, often with a short description of what that looks like in practice.

How teams use it

To set expectations: people can see what good looks like at their level before a review, not after it. For assessments: each person is rated against the column for their level, often by themselves and by colleagues. For promotions: someone is ready for the next level when they meet what its column asks for.

Example

The first two rows are specific to product management; the last two are behaviors that every department shares. A competency matrix usually has both kinds.

Source: Product management career path

Competency matrix vs competency framework

A competency framework is the whole model: the competencies, what each one means, the rating scale and the levels. A competency matrix is one view of it, the table that puts competencies against levels. Teams often write the framework first and then use the matrix to read and apply it.

Related

• More real examples: Product design career path · Data and analytics career path
• Other definitions: Skills matrix · Competency framework · Career ladder · Career framework