Skills and Competencies
SKILL INSIGHT CLUSTERING
One Week
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Large sheets of paper or a whiteboard
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Pens and markers in different colours
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Sticky notes in different colours
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Optional: Tape or adhesive putty for attaching sheets of paper to each other and to a wall.
What is this tool and what is its purpose and benefit?
This tool creates an overview of all the skills, competencies and other elements identified by the other Phase 2 'Skills and Competencies' tools, visualising them. It also reviews, organises and streamlines the findings, revealing inconsistencies, gaps and strengths. It should be used as the final tool in Phase 2.
Steps for using this tool
STEP 1
Review the outcomes from the other tools. As you read, write down the main skills (both soft and hard), competencies, traits and other elements forming part of each tool's results from Phase 2 on sticky notes. Use different coloured sticky notes for different content areas, such as soft skills or traits, or for the outcomes of different tools.
STEP 2
Prepare the sheet for insight clustering. The minimum size is A3, but it is recommended that you join together as many sheets of paper as you need for your results, e.g. four or six sheets. Alternatively, you can use a whiteboard or a wall.
STEP 3
Start by grouping the sticky notes into clusters or categories based on similar skills, traits or themes. When organising the sticky notes, put those with the same outcome together in a pile. For example, if 'problem solving' has been mentioned nine times, put all nine sticky notes together. Similarly, if 'leadership skills' has been mentioned on three sticky notes, put them together. This will give you an idea of how evident or typical a skill or trait is for you.
STEP 4
Once you have grouped the notes, give the categories headings and review them to see if you want to make any changes.
STEP 5
Organise the findings within each category according to how frequently something has been mentioned. For example, since problem-solving was mentioned nine times, it should be ranked higher than leadership skills, which were mentioned only three times. Write the number of mentions next to each pile of sticky notes. Only leave one sticky note of the same type with the number of mentions it received.
STEP 6
Document your findings. These will be useful when planning your career path and searching for employment.
Other tools of this phase
Identifying and visualising skills and competencies
Drawing parallels between previous experiences, and work and career opportunities
Identify skill and competences in changing situations.
Identifying skills, knowledge and experience from good practices and media
Detect skills and competencies in a situation
New perspectives on skills and knowledge
A visual overview of skills, knowledge and experiences, and their value
A visual summary of skill, trait and experience levels, and capacities