IT-based competency modeling and management: from theory to practice in enterprise engineering and operations

Better management of human competencies is becoming a new source of improvement of industrial performances for many companies, be they goods production, service or administrative organizations. In this paper, a new approach based on information technology is proposed for modeling and managing competencies within the enterprise engineering environment and the enterprise operations environment. Especially, a formal model of competency and related concepts (CRAI model) is first proposed and then a computer-based tool is discussed for qualitative and quantitative management of competencies. A competency database application for the management of a maintenance department of large manufacturing plant illustrates the approach and demonstrates potential functionalities of the computerized system. A discussion on extensions to collective competencies concludes the paper. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.