Competency Development
Grounded in organization science, applied research, and decades of consulting experience, the course moves beyond generic competency lists and inflated frameworks. It examines competencies in context—situated within organization design, job architecture, work systems, workforce capability, and governance. Participants learn how competencies connect (or disconnect) people's performance from organizational performance and why many frameworks collapse under operational reality.
Critically, the course provides a structured decision framework to answer a question rarely addressed honestly: Should we be using competencies at all? Where appropriate, it offers a clear, evidence-led methodology for defining, modeling, and assessing competencies in ways that are defensible, measurable, and useful.
In Organizations
Competency Development in Organizations is OrgMastr’s flagship course on one of the most misunderstood—and frequently misused—tools in HR and organization development. With over 2,000 learners globally, this course provides a rigorous yet practical exploration of when competencies add real value, when they fail, and how to design them properly when they are worth using.
Over 6 hours of structured learning across 30 focused lectures
Downloadable content for flexible, self-paced learning
Comprehensive course resource document aligned to each lecture
Clear visual models covering theory, history, design, and application
Research-led content with academic and applied references
Practical guidance on competency design, assessment, and use
Exploration of strategic and operational risks of competency frameworks
Optional engagement with course creators for deeper insight
COURSE FEATURES
What competencies are—and why definitions vary across research and practice
How competencies relate to organization design, job architecture, and work analysis
When competency frameworks create value—and when they create distortion
How to define competencies clearly and operationally
How to design competency frameworks aligned to strategy and capability
Methods for assessing competencies objectively and responsibly
How competencies support (or undermine) HR analytics and decision-making
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
HRM, People & Development, and OD professionals seeking rigor and clarity
Competency assessors requiring a strong technical and methodological foundation
Organization design practitioners addressing behavioral capability
Managers and leaders involved in workforce and capability decisions
Students of HRM, organization psychology, and management science
Consultants seeking defensible, evidence-led competency approaches
WHO THIS COURSE IS FOR?
”A brilliant course that provides a comprehensive approach to competency development! It covers everything from identifying key competencies to designing effective training programs. I especially loved the section on leveraging competency models for talent management and employee engagement.”
- Ying J.
”The lessons are concise, engaging, and packed with actionable insights. The section on measuring and evaluating competency development was particularly enlightening. The instructor’s practical approach and real-life examples make the content relatable and impactful.”
- Oriana G.
”I particularly valued the sections on creating competency maps and strategies for continuous development within teams. The insights shared on fostering a culture of growth within organizations were top-notch.”
- Danial L.
”An insightful course with actionable takeaways! It does a great job explaining the importance of competencies and how they drive organizational success. The modules on creating competency frameworks and evaluation methods were especially useful..”
- Jakov
”The tools and strategies provided were not just theoretical but actionable, making it easier to apply in professional settings. This course is a must for HR professionals and leaders alike.”
- Shahnaz L.
”Excellent and comprehensive content! A great opportunity to understand the theory and concepts behind developing competencies in practice. A MASTER CLASS! ”
- Bilel A.
What Students Say
Discover what our students think about our course
”The instructor explains frameworks and tools with real-world examples, making the concepts practical and easy to implement.”
- John Soman
”I loved how the course emphasized aligning competencies with business objectives, making it relevant for today's dynamic work environments. If you are looking to enhance workforce capabilities systematically, this course is for you.”
- Kenan Angelina
”I found the examples on applying competency models to organizational strategies particularly enlightening. By the end, I felt confident about implementing these concepts in my workplace. A perfect 5-star course for anyone aiming to build a competitive and skilled team!”
- Radinka Penjani
”The content was insightful, covering all aspects of identifying, developing, and implementing core competencies to drive organizational growth.”
- Kamala
”The content is well-structured, informative, and engaging, making it an excellent resource for HR professionals and anyone interested in enhancing organizational performance.”
- Jaden Watts
”The tools and templates provided are easy to implement, making it a highly practical learning experience. Highly recommended for leaders looking to enhance team capabilities! .”
- Boris V
4.6
Over 6 hours of structured learning across 30 focused lectures
Downloadable content for flexible, self-paced learning
Comprehensive course resource document aligned to each lecture
Clear visual models covering theory, history, design, and application
Research-led content with academic and applied references
Practical guidance on competency design, assessment, and use
Exploration of strategic and operational risks of competency frameworks
Optional engagement with course creators for deeper insight
Course Features
What competencies are—and why definitions vary across research and practice
How competencies relate to organization design, job architecture, and work analysis
When competency frameworks create value—and when they create distortion
How to define competencies clearly and operationally
How to design competency frameworks aligned to strategy and capability
Methods for assessing competencies objectively and responsibly
How competencies support (or undermine) HR analytics and decision-making
What You'll Learn
HRM, People & Development, and OD professionals seeking rigor and clarity
Competency assessors requiring a strong technical and methodological foundation
Organization design practitioners addressing behavioral capability
Managers and leaders involved in workforce and capability decisions
Students of HRM, organization psychology, and management science
Consultants seeking defensible, evidence-led competency approaches
Who This Course Is For?
Over 6 hours of 30 lectures to provide a structured pathway of learning and practical value.
Download and manage course content to personalized preferences, pace, and content interest.
Supported with a comprehensive resource document—formatted to video lecture structure.
Unique visualizations of concepts, theory, history, modeling, insights, and practice-based support.
In-depth academic and research sources referenced and provided through resource materials.
Examines the strategic and practical issues related to developing effective use of competencies.
Engage with creators and instructors for further support options and insights.
Understanding the concept of competencies: reviewing variable approaches through literature.
Situating competencies in organization design and its relationship with factors such as job architecture, work analysis, the employment cycle, and organization capability.
Evaluating competency development: considerations for decision-making. Is it worth it?
Defining and Making: developing a theory and practice definition. What are we looking for?
Creating a framework for competency development and aligning with organization goals.
Assessing Competencies: objectivity, individual and organizational value, and multi-methods.
Personnel & Development, HRM and Organization Development professionals seeking a deeper understanding of competencies; conceptual and technical value for developing into practice.
Competency Assessors will benefit from a solid technical foundation to the assessment process, with considerations for assessment design, methods, and HR analytics value.
Students of Organization Psychology and Human Resources Management.
Organization Design practitioners supporting behavioural considerations in design approaches.
Business Managers – opportunity for knowledge development to support critical decision-making.
Competency Development
Our popular course for Competencies Development in Organizations, with over 2,000 students to date, provides a comprehensive theoretical and practical source of learning for practitioners and students alike. It deals with the numerous challenges with developing effective competencies in organizations, outlining the conceptual and practical considerations to ensure they create a realistic opportunity to connect people performance with organization performance. It also provides a framework for deciding whether formal competency frameworks and assessment is worth it at all! Grounded through theoretical and research reviews, this course is an invaluable resource for HRM and organization development practitioners, as well as providing a structured introduction and learning opportunity.
In Organizations
4.6
