Competency Based Human Resource Management (CBHRM)

CBHRM

Competency Based Human Resource Management (CBHRM) is an approach that links human resources activities such as learning and development, resourcing, performance management and human resources planning to a competency profile. As a result, CBHRM provides a common, simplified language and the necessary tools and flexibility for managers to address their human resources activities — all based on competencies. CBHRM will link HR activities to the business of the organization to improve business performance. It aims at achieving a good fit between each employee, the work and the work environment. This fit promotes improved work performance and job satisfaction.

A common framework of competencies provides the means for integrating all aspects of the HR system so that employees are selected, evaluated, developed, promoted and rewarded based on competencies that support organizational success. By communicating these competencies, organizations empower employees to take charge of their careers, direct their own personal development, and continually self-evaluate and improve. At the same time, the framework allows the organization to proactively plan for its human resource needs both in the immediate and long term, and to establish programs that support employees in acquiring the competencies needed for organizational success.

Planning for Competency-based Human Resource Management It takes effort and commitment to implement a fully-elaborated and integrated competency-based human resource management (HRM) system. It is important, therefore, to take the time to evaluate the needs of the organization, and to create a strategy and plan that will meet these needs - in other words, getting it right the first time.


Definitions

Competency Profile: A profile is a set of competencies related to a function/job or an employee.

Competency: A competency is “any skill, knowledge, or other attribute that is observable and identifies successful performance”. Effectively, competencies translate the strategic vision and goals for the organization into measurable and observable behaviours or actions which employees must display.


Articles

CBHRM - Planning for Success by Suzanne Simpson, PhD. & Lorraine McKay, M.A, CHRP, C. Psych.

CBHRM - That Works! by Suzanne Simpson, PhD. & Lorraine McKay, M.A, CHRP, C. Psych.