Abstract:

Competency modeling is a critical component of talent management programs, providing a structured approach to identifying higher-level knowledge, skills, abilities, and other attributes necessary for successful performance, and specific behaviors that exemplify them. By focusing on high performance job behaviors, competency models enable organizations to optimize person-job fit, identify training gaps, and make informed talent development decisions. The United States Space Force (USSF) undertook a multi-year effort to develop a comprehensive and impactful competency model, labeled as a Capability and Skills Framework. This paper provides an overview of the USSF's process and shares key lessons learned. Specifically, we will focus on the two main phases of the project. The first phase involved survey administration and engagements with senior leaders to identify the essential competencies required for Guardians. This effort identified and validated 28 Guardian Foundational Capabilities (GFCs) relevant to all Guardians, and 96 Specialty Skills (SSs) that are relevant to specific career fields. The second phase involved developing rubrics for each capability, outlining example behaviors at different proficiency levels (basic, intermediate, advanced, and expert). To inform these rubrics, researchers conducted critical incident interviews with Subject Matter Experts (SME) from each career field and translated the responses into observable behavior statements representative of each proficiency level. Through this iterative process, the model underwent validation efforts and several revisions, ultimately resulting in 14 GFCs and 82 SSs.

In this paper, we discuss key lessons learned including the importance of recruiting a diverse range of participants, relying on expert judgment and empirical data to build the model, and ensuring that the model remains flexible and adaptable to changing organizational needs. We also discuss the future applications of the Capability and Skills Framework within the USSF and how competency models can be leveraged to make key decisions and develop Guardian talent.

Keywords: COMPETENCY BASED TRAINING;HUMAN PERFORMANCE

Alex Barelka

Affiliation

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Competency Modeling in the USSF