Building competency models: Approaches for HR professionals

Two widely used approaches to competency model building—the single-job approach and the “one-size-fits-all” approach—have limitations when competency models are needed for multiple jobs. This article describes the requirements of a multiple-job approach to competency model building: a set of common building block competencies, provision for customization of competencies for individual job models, defined levels of performance for each competency, and a quick, low-cost approach to model building. The article concludes with a discussion of the competencies needed to implement the multiple-job approach and of trends in the workplace that are making this approach more attractive. © 1996 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.