If skills are the currency of the new workforce than competencies and competency frameworks are how these get organized and connected to jobs and roles. The IEEE has published a Recommended Practice for defining competencies. Ibbaka contributed to this work and implements it through Ibbaka Talio.

Work on IEEE 1484.40.2 Defining Competencies is nearing completion. Eric Shepherd has shared an excellent presentation The Value of Competency Definitions and Frameworks. We share a few slides here and connect it to Ibbaka’s work in this area.

Job mobility will not be enough in a rapidly changing economy. We need to go beyond this to support career mobility. Dennis Green both exemplifies this in his own life and has thought deeply about the question. He shares his experience and ideas in this interview.

There is often confusion around the definition of skills and competencies. Are these different words for the same thing or do they refer to different things with different uses. The IEEE 1484.20 Defining Competencies standard is a work in progress, but progress is being made on shared definitions for critical terms.

The IEEE is using user stories to inform the proposed IEEE P1484.20.2 Competency Model Definitions work. These user stories are using a format from Behavior Driven Development (BDD). If you have suggestions for user stories, or even the different actors, in skill and competency management, please share your ideas and we will bring them to the working group.

What form should IEEE guidance on competency model definitions take? Share your thoughts as the IEEE embarks on this important work. Ibbaka managing partner Steven Forth has joined this effort as the Vice Chair of IEEE 1484.20.2 Recommended Practice for Defining Competencies.