HRD Consulting
Competency Matrix Development

The Training and Competency Matrix (Matrix) is a tool for managers to plan resources needed based on competence and for employee development and training. The Matrix is intended to help employees prepare an Individual Development Plan (IDP) by identifying competencies needed and available training opportunities. A competency is the knowledge, skill, or ability needed to perform your position within your function.

Competencies are identified based on ;

  1. The risks for the employee function.
  2. Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)
  3. The equipment used
  4. Procedures
  5. Legislative requirements

Although the suggested competencies were given proficiency levels, these levels are only estimates of what might be needed for the position. Employees should consult with their supervisor/employer to determine individual requirements. The Matrix identifies existing trainings and the competencies usually taught in the training. The numeric levels for each training listed in the matrix is the estimated level at which a person would emerge at the end of that training. Since this information is only a guide and training agendas and/or instructors are subject to change, employees should check with the training source to verify the content of the training. This is normally done with Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) to be accurate.

Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) Consulting

We partner with our clients and help them optimise their B-BBEE scores.  Improving on your score is an on-going process and it is important that the B-BBEE strategy fits in with the organisation’s strategy, as the organisation evolves.  We assist clients with the transformation process and provide detailed analysis and recommendations to maximise results post verification.

We understand that each organisation has its own unique strategic objectives and challenges, so our bespoke approach ensures that the client is accommodated in all aspects.  We do not adopt a “ones size fits all” approach as B-BBEE is not just a compliance exercise, but it is also about implementing changes that are aligned to the business strategy.

Learnership Project Management

We assist organisations with initiating any Learnership that they want to run, and we also manage all aspects of the Learnership up until the point of completion.  Our full solution consists of the following:

  • Sourcing and selection of learners
  • Applying to the relevant SETA for grant funding (if applicable)
  • Setting up the programme schedule
  • Provision of learning material
  • Managing co-ordination amongst learners, facilitators, assessors, moderators, etc. We are also able to provide the client with facilitators, assessors, moderators and mentors if this is a requirement
  • Facilitate the distribution of the learning material
  • Keeping track of learner Portfolio of Evidence files and ensuring that the files are distributed to the relevant parties
  • Ensuring that all compliance documentation is collected and stored as required. This will include:
    • Attendance registers
    • Facilitation reports
    • Assessment Results Reports
    • Mentor Reports
    • Evaluation forms/delegate feedback forms
  •  Learner certification at the end of the course

This offering can be customised as we understand that each client’s needs are different.

Process Mapping

A process flow that guarantees promised results | Stahl & Partners

Benefits of Process mapping

As you are already reading about process mapping, we’d  guess you know at least a few benefits of doing it. However read this section carefully as it will help you convince others!

  • Makes understanding and communicating the process much easier among teams, stakeholders or customers
  • Serves as a useful tool for scenario testing and what-if assessments
  • Can be used as a marketing tool to prove to your investors or industrial customers that your business processes are reliable
  • Is a requirement of many types of standards and certification like ISO 9000
  • Makes process documentation more reader-friendly
  • Spread awareness of the roles and responsibilities of those who are involved
  • Helps identify flaws in  the process and where improvements should be made
  • Aids teams brainstorm ideas for improvement or new changes that will help tackle challenges like retaining employees, declining revenue etc.
  • Helps reduce costs associated with development of products and services
  • Improve team performance and employee satisfaction
  • Can be used as learning material to train new employees
  • Helps measure the efficiency of work processes

Process Mapping assist in defining the different processes in a company or department and the competencies that is required to deliver to the standards that is required. Once the process, procedures, standards and equipment have been defined, an analysis can be done to define the competencies and skills required with the underpinning knowledge.The competency matrix is primarily a tool to help the team as a whole.

Types of Process Maps

Following is a list of different types of process maps along with a brief description and when you can use each. Choose the type of process map that is most suitable for your goal.

Basic Flowchart

A basic flowchart is a simple map visualizing the steps of a process including its inputs and outputs.

WHEN TO USE:  

  • to plan new projects
  • to model and document a process
  • to solve problems
  • to help teams communicate ideas better
  • To analyze and manage workflows

High-level Process Map

This is also known as a value chain map or a top-down map.  It shows the core activities of a process.  It doesn’t go into much detail about decision points, rework loop, roles involved etc.

WHEN TO USE:

  • to design and define business processes
  • to identify the key steps and key details of a process

Detailed Process Map

A flowchart that shows a drill-down version of a process. This means all the details of the sub-processes are contained in this type of map.

WHEN TO USE:

  • to give all details (inputs and outputs) related to a process step
  •  to document the decision points within a process

Cross-Functional Flowchart

A flowchart that shows the relationships between process steps and the functional units (teams/ departments) responsible for them with swim lanes. It’s also known as a deployment flowchart.

WHEN  TO USE:

  • to identify the key roles responsible for the process and how they relate to each other
  • to highlight how a process flows across company boundaries
  • to identify potential process failure, redundancies, delays, rework, excessive inspection etc.

SIPOC

SIPOC shows the key elements of a process such as Suppliers, Inputs, Process, Outputs, and Customers.

WHEN TO USE:

  • to identify the key elements of a process before doing a detailed map
  • to define the scope of complex processes
  • can be used in the Measure phase of the DMAIC methodology (DMAIC is an acronym for Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve, Control. DMAIC is the process improvement methodology of Six Sigma that’s used for improving existing processes.)

Value Stream Map

Value stream maps visualize the flow of material and information that is needed to bring your product to the customer.

WHEN TO USE:

  • to record measurements of the inputs and outputs of process steps
  • to identify waste within and between processes
  • to document, analyze and improve the flow of information and material
  • to gain insight into decision-making and process flow
  • to identify where to focus future projects or subprojects

Each step in a process is represented by a shape in a process map. These shapes are also called flowchart shapes.These are the most common shapesused in Process Mapping will be easier to understand. A detailed list of symbols are avalible below.

Shape  Name  Use
 Activity/ Process  Activity/Process  To represent a step/ activity of a process
 Decision  Decision To represent a decision that has to be made
 Start or End  Start/ End  To represent the start and end of a process
 Arrow  Arrow To represent the connection between two stepsand the direction of flow
 Document  Document To represent data or information that can beread by people

Process Mapping Best Practices

  • Before identifying the process steps, start with identifying the start and end points of the process. This helps with setting limits
  • Make your process maps as easy and simple as possible to read and understand by anyone in your company
  • Keep only the necessary details on your map. Not less or more than needed to identify areas for improvements
  • Make sure you use the correct process map symbols when drawing to avoid confusion
  • Include all the key stakeholders when mapping the process to avoid missing out on important information or steps

Process/ Operations Symbols

Shape Name Use
 Predefined process  Predefined Process / Subroutine  To represent a process that is already pre-defined
 Alternate process  Alternate Process  To represent a process step that is an alternative to the normal process step
 Delay  Delay  To represent a delay or a pause before the process flow continues
 Manual Loop  Manual Loop  To represent automated steps that need to be stopped manually
 preparation  Preparation  To represent something that needs to be modified or adjusted in the process before continuing

Branching and Control of Flow Symbols

Shape  Name Use
 Connector  On-Page Connector  To represent an inspection point in the process flow
 Off page connector  Off-page Connector  To represent cross-references and links to the process from another process on another page
 Merge  Merge  To represent a step that will merge several steps into one
 Extract  Extract  To represent  a process that is divided into parallel paths
 Or  Or  To represent the ‘or’ logic
 Adder  And  To represent the ‘and’ logic

Input and Output Symbols

Shape Name  Use
 Data  Data  To represent inputs to and outputs from the process
 Multiple documents  Multiple Documents  To represent multiple documents
 Display  Display  To represent data that is displayed to be read on a screen or display
 Manual Input  Manual Input  To represent process steps that will be manually performed by a person

File and Information Storage Symbols

 Shape Name Use
 Stored Data  Stored data  To represent stored data
 database  Database  To represent a database
 Direct Data  Direct Access Storage  To represent a hard drive
 Internal Storage  Internal Storage  To represent an internal storage device

Data Processing Symbols

 Shape Name Use
 Collate  Collate  To represent a step in which data is organized in a standard way
 Sort  Sort  To represent the sorting of items in a particular order
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