Competency (Click the link to download item)

This is an essay I wrote on the definition of competency and its critical nature. Like quality before Deming’s famous definition as “Quality is defined as fitness for intended use,” competency has always been a moving target. Deming inspired me to use the same term for competency as a terminal value…when a person can perform a task at the level required, they are competent. Investment in training beyond that point is a waste unless it is for a different competency. The above illustration is the delta from pre and post testing of experienced forklift operators. Only 8 scored the minimum competency level on the pretest, All 21 scored the minimum competency level or above after the training.