Skills Assessment Guide
This guide helps teams identify, assess, and optimize the skills needed for effective collaboration. Use it to better understand your team’s strengths and development areas.
Purpose of Skills Assessment
A thorough skills assessment enables teams to:
- Identify strengths and gaps in the team’s collective capabilities
- Match team members to appropriate roles based on their skills
- Develop targeted plans for skill development
- Create balanced teams with complementary abilities
- Identify when external expertise may be needed
Types of Skills to Assess
Technical Skills
Domain-specific abilities directly related to performing specific tasks or functions.
Examples:
- Programming languages
- Design software proficiency
- Writing and editing
- Financial analysis
- Marketing techniques
- Project management methodologies
Soft Skills
Interpersonal abilities that enable effective collaboration and communication.
Examples:
- Communication (written and verbal)
- Active listening
- Conflict resolution
- Emotional intelligence
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Time management
- Leadership
- Giving and receiving feedback
Knowledge Areas
Specific information and understanding that contributes to project success.
Examples:
- Industry knowledge
- Target audience insights
- Regulatory requirements
- Historical context
- Competitive landscape
- Theoretical frameworks
Assessment Methods
Self-Assessment
Have team members rate their skills using a consistent scale:
- Novice: Basic understanding but limited practical experience
- Intermediate: Can apply the skill with some guidance or supervision
- Advanced: Can independently apply the skill in various contexts
- Expert: Can teach others and innovate within this skill area
Template for individual self-assessment:
| Skill |
Rating (1-4) |
Evidence/Examples |
Interest in Using/Developing |
| [Skill] |
[Rating] |
[Evidence] |
[High/Medium/Low] |
Peer Assessment
When appropriate, have team members assess each other’s demonstrated skills:
- Focus on observed behavior and results
- Maintain a constructive, growth-oriented approach
- Use concrete examples to support assessments
External Validation
Consider supplementing internal assessments with:
- Skills certifications
- Portfolio reviews
- Reference checks
- Sample work or test projects
Skills Matrix for Teams
Create a team skills matrix to visualize your collective capabilities:
| Team Member |
Skill 1 |
Skill 2 |
Skill 3 |
Skill 4 |
Skill 5 |
| [Name] |
[Rating] |
[Rating] |
[Rating] |
[Rating] |
[Rating] |
| [Name] |
[Rating] |
[Rating] |
[Rating] |
[Rating] |
[Rating] |
| [Name] |
[Rating] |
[Rating] |
[Rating] |
[Rating] |
[Rating] |
| Team Average |
[Avg] |
[Avg] |
[Avg] |
[Avg] |
[Avg] |
| Project Need |
[Need] |
[Need] |
[Need] |
[Need] |
[Need] |
| Gap |
[Gap] |
[Gap] |
[Gap] |
[Gap] |
[Gap] |
Addressing Skills Gaps
Once you’ve identified skills gaps, consider these strategies:
Skill Development
- Training programs and workshops
- Mentorship arrangements
- Online courses and resources
- Stretch assignments
- Pair work with more skilled team members
Team Composition
- Recruit additional team members
- Engage contractors or consultants
- Form partnerships with complementary organizations
- Reorganize work to leverage existing strengths
Process Adaptation
- Modify workflows to reduce dependence on gap areas
- Create systems to compensate for skill limitations
- Use technological tools to supplement human capabilities
Continuous Skills Development
Skills assessment should not be a one-time activity. Implement these practices for ongoing development:
- Regular reassessment: Update the skills matrix quarterly or when project requirements change
- Learning objectives: Set specific skill development goals in team and individual planning
- Reflection: Schedule time to reflect on skill application and lessons learned
- Knowledge sharing: Create opportunities for team members to teach each other
- External learning: Allocate resources for continuing education and development
Integration with Role Definition
Use the results of your skills assessment to inform:
- Role assignments
- Task distribution
- Support structures
- Mentoring relationships
- Team development plans
The insights from your skills assessment should directly feed into how roles are defined using the Team Roles Framework.
This Skills Assessment Guide was created by Teamworkstate. Visit teamworkstate.com for more collaboration resources.