HR-Survey > Competency Model > Technical Skills

Technical Skills Comments

Definition: Technical Skills refers to a manager's ability to apply specialized knowledge, tools, and systems to deliver high-quality solutions, assign work effectively, and drive innovation through sound technical skills. It includes deep expertise across relevant domains, the ability to analyze data and risks, and the use of appropriate tools, equipment, and design methods to implement scalable, secure, and efficient systems. Technical also encompasses the creation, documentation, and sharing of information and knowledge, along with training others and fostering continuous improvement through metrics, feedback, and structured planning. A technically strong manager plays key roles across the organization--advising, supporting, and coordinating efforts that ensure operational excellence, compliance, and long-term capability growth.

360-Feedback Surveys Measuring Technical Skills:
Survey 1 (4-point scale; Competency Comments)
Survey 2 (4-point scale; Competency Comments)
Survey 3 (5-point scale; Competency Comments)
Survey 4 (5-point scale; radio buttons)
Survey 5 (4-point scale; words)
Survey 6 (4-point scale; words)
Survey 7 (5-point scale; competency comments; N/A)
Survey 8 (3-point scale; Agree/Disagree words; N/A)
Survey 9 (3-point scale; Strength/Development; N/A)
Survey 10 (Comment boxes only)
Survey 11 (Single rating per competency)
Survey 12 (Slide-bar scale)
Survey 13 (4-point scale; numbers; floating anchors)
Survey 14 (4-point scale; N/A)

The statements below can be used in your self-assessment (self-feedback) or performance appraisal as examples to demonstrate your "technical skills". Having good technical skills means you can navigate complex systems, tools, and information with confidence, turning technical challenges into opportunities for clarity, improvement, and innovation. It reflects your ability to analyze problems using evidence, design solutions that are robust and scalable, and implement new technologies in ways that strengthen team performance and organizational outcomes. Strong technical skills also mean you can troubleshoot issues systematically, anticipate failure modes before they occur, and document your work so others can learn from it. Ultimately, having good technical skills positions you as a reliable, knowledgeable contributor who elevates the quality, efficiency, and resilience of the entire team.

Technical Skills

Technical Skills refer to an employee's ability to apply specific tools, methods, and processes to produce high-quality technical work and lead others in doing the same. This includes not only maintaining and updating one's own technical capabilities, but also ensuring that team members possess the necessary skills to succeed. Employees strong in Technical Skills are operationally effective: they assign work based on assessed proficiency, develop procedures to enhance team competence, and translate complex concepts into actionable guidance. Their strength lies in execution--delivering results, fostering growth, and applying technical knowledge to improve systems, products, and workflows.

I know how to produce high quality products/work.
I assigned tasks based on assessed technical proficiency to ensure work was completed efficiently.
I ensured employees had the necessary technical skills to be successful.
I offered clear technical input and advice into the operations.
I was authoritative and well balanced.
I created important technical innovations.
I updated my technical skills.
I translated complex technical concepts into clear, actionable language for nontechnical stakeholders.
I matched work to team members' current technical skills while providing stretch assignments to support growth.
I developed procedures to revitalize and enhance technical competence.

Expertise

Expertise reflects the depth, breadth, and influence of an employee's technical knowledge. It is demonstrated through mastery of complex subject matter, the ability to generate innovative solutions, and the credibility to advise others across functions or domains. Employees with strong Expertise are recognized as thought leaders and trusted resources; they are frequently consulted for their judgment, contribute to policy and strategy, and shape organizational direction through their insights. Expertise is about being--being the person others turn to for authoritative, high-impact technical guidance.

I demonstrated mastery of the technical competencies required in my work.
I used expertise to identify issues and think through creative solutions to get a problem solved or objective accomplished.
I am naturally sought out by people outside my particular area for advice and opinion on a broad range of matters - not necessarily solely legal advice.
I willingly shared my technical expertise; sought out as resource by others
I made legal expertise relevant to company's growth and business expectations.
I offered expert advice that provided immediate value to the organization.
I provided a valuable source of technical information for the department.
I leveraged technical expertise in the policy-making process.
I had technical expertise in many areas important for the department.

Information

Information emphasizes the gathering, organizing, curating, and sharing of technical knowledge. It reflects an employee's role as a conduit and steward of information--ensuring that accurate, relevant, and timely technical data is accessible to others. This includes building repositories, improving access, contributing to reusable resources, and being a reliable source of expertise. It's about enabling others to act by making technical knowledge visible, structured, and available. Employees strong in this area are often sought out for their ability to connect people with the right information and to foster a culture of transparency and knowledge flow.

I willingly shared information and experience; sought out as resource by others
I sought information from others as needed.
I contributed to the development of internal frameworks, libraries, or reusable components.
I was a good source of technical information.
I improved staff access to technical information.
I provided technical information and analysis.
I created a clearinghouse of technical information.
I provided technical information for strategic decision making.
I provided valuable scientific and technical information.
I increased the flow of technical information and analysis.
I ensured accurate technical information was available.

Analysis

Analysis focuses on the interpretation, evaluation, and application of technical data to solve problems, make decisions, and improve systems. It involves critical thinking, experimentation, and evidence-based reasoning--breaking down complex issues, identifying patterns, validating hypotheses, and drawing conclusions that inform action. Employees demonstrating strong analytical capability don't just possess or distribute information--they interrogate it, test it, and use it to drive technical insight, innovation, and continuous improvement.

I triaged incidents by severity and probable cause to focus remediation efforts.
I validated solutions through rigorous testing and verification before deployment.
I analyzed test results and iterated on solutions based on evidence.
I applied risk analysis to find the most effective implementation methodology.
I leveraged data and analytics to inform technical decisions and prioritize work.
I segmented data to identify high-impact areas for technical investment.
I applied technical analysis to meet the needs of the team.
I performed cost-benefit analysis when evaluating new tools or platforms.
I coordinated the technical analysis of operations/performance data.
I broke complex problems into testable hypotheses and experiments.
I conducted scientific and technical inquiries.
I designed controlled experiments (A/B tests, canary releases) to validate changes.

Tools and Equipment

Tools and Equipment focuses on the selection, deployment, maintenance, and effective use of tangible technologies--such as software platforms, hardware, and specialized tools--that enable technical work. It emphasizes operational readiness: ensuring the team has access to the right tools, knows how to use them safely and effectively, and can rely on them to perform consistently. Employees strong in this area evaluate vendor options, lead pilots, monitor tool performance, and collaborate with IT and procurement to align tools with business needs. They also establish protocols for configuration and access, train staff, and adapt emerging tools to evolving workflows.

I provided staff with equipment and technical skills to be successful.
I led pilot programs to test new technical tools, gathered feedback and assessed scalability before broader adoption.
I collaborated with procurement and IT teams to align tool selection with technical requirements, budget constraints, and long-term supported needs.
I established protocols for tool configuration, version control, and access management.
I evaluated third-party tools and vendors to recommend fit, cost, and integration impact.
I gave technical advice regarding appropriate equipment maintenance.
I trained team members on the effective and safe used of specialized tools and equipment, ensuring consistent standards and minimizing misuse or downtime.
I ensured the department was provided with the necessary equipment and technical expertise to use it.
I adapted emerging tools and platforms to meet evolving business needs.
I monitored tool utilization and performance metrics, identifying underused or outdated equipment and recommending upgrades or decommissioning.

Systems and Design

Systems and Design centers on the architecture, integration, and optimization of technical systems and processes. It reflects a manager's ability to design scalable, secure, and maintainable solutions that meet complex requirements. This includes applying design methodologies, automating workflows, integrating cross-functional needs, and planning for long-term system evolution. Systems and Design is about how everything fits together--the logic, structure, and intentionality behind technical solutions. It's more abstract and architectural, often involving trade-offs, future-proofing, and systemic thinking.

I planned for system scalability and maintainability during early designed phases.
I adapted procedures to work more effectively in a technical setting.
I optimized use of new technologies to streamline business operations.
I implemented security best practices to protect systems, data, and intellectual property.
I optimized code, processes, and workflows to improve efficiency and reduce waste.
I selected the optimal design to meet the technical needs of the department.
I adapted new technologies to better meet the needs of the department.
I automated repetitive tasks to increase reliability and free staff for higher-value work.
I designed solutions with scalability and maintainability in mind for long-term use.
I applied standard design methods to develop robust technical solutions.
I designed new technical solutions to meet the needs of the project.
I integrated cross-functional requirements into technical designs to support business objectives.

Implementation

Implementation focuses on planning, coordinating, and executing the introduction of new technologies, systems, or procedures. It emphasizes proactive design, structured rollout, and long-term alignment with business goals. Employees strong in Implementation create detailed plans, define success criteria, and ensure that new tools or processes are adopted effectively across teams. Their work is forward-looking and systematic--anticipating needs, aligning resources, and optimizing the deployment of innovations to improve technical operations. Implementation is about building and embedding change into the technical environment in a way that is scalable, sustainable, and aligned with strategic objectives.

I coordinated the implementation of new technologies.
I defined acceptance criteria and test plans before implementation.
I designed procedures to effectively implement new technologies.
I performed dependency impact analysis before implementing major changes.
I monitored staff usage of new procedures to ensure successful implementation of new technologies.
I created detailed implementation plans for new tools, systems, or infrastructure changes.
I optimized the implementation and adoption of innovative technologies.
I selected technical solutions that provided scalability.
I coordinated adoption of advanced technologies to address skills shortages.
I developed multi-phase implementation plans that aligned with evolving technical requirements and business goals.
I implemented advanced technical solutions to streamline business operations.

Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting centers on responding to and resolving technical problems--especially when systems fail, behave unexpectedly, or underperform. It emphasizes diagnostic thinking, root cause analysis, and rapid response. Employees skilled in Troubleshooting apply structured methods to isolate issues, guide teams through debugging, and implement fixes that prevent recurrence. Troubleshooting is about stabilizing and recovering from disruption. It often operates under pressure, requiring clarity, calm, and technical depth to restore functionality and learn from failure. In essence, Troubleshooting is the discipline of making things work again, while Implementation is about making new things work well.

I identified technical bottlenecks and failure points and proactively planned mitigations.
I anticipated failure scenarios during planning and built in diagnostic hooks or fallback mechanisms.
I understood how best to approach complex technical problems that affected coworkers.
I facilitated post-incident reviews to identify systemic causes and drive long-term fixes.
I led root cause investigations using structured techniques (e.g., 5 Whys, fishbone).
I guided team members through structured debugging sessions, modeling how to isolate variables and tested hypotheses.
I implemented monitoring and alerting tools to detect anomalies before they escalated into failures.
I performed root cause analysis to prevent recurrence of technical failures.
I escalated persistent technical issues with clear documentation, including logs, reproduction steps, and impact analysis.
I helped the department with complex technical issues.
I optimized the solutions to complex technical problems.
I applied systematic troubleshooting methods to diagnose and resolve technical problems.
I maintained a knowledge base of resolved issues, enabling faster troubleshooting and shared learning.

Training

Training emphasizes the development and transfer of knowledge and skills. It focuses on how managers and teams acquire, share, and deepen technical capabilities--whether through formal education, certifications, workshops, mentoring, or peer learning. Training is about building technical capacity: equipping individuals and teams with the tools, understanding, and confidence to perform their roles effectively. Employees strong in this area not only pursue their own learning but also design and deliver learning opportunities for others, ensuring that technical knowledge is current, accessible, and aligned with team needs.

I kept current with technical advances within my professional discipline; embraced and applied new techniques and practices
I coached engineers on analytical methods and evidence-based debugging.
I engaged in peer learning by shadowing experts or participating in cross-functional technical reviews.
I completed certifications or advanced coursework to deepen domain expertise.
I mentored and developed junior technical staff, building team capability and succession.
I designed and delivered technical workshops tailored to team needed and skill gaps.
I pursued opportunities for advanced education and training.
I updated technical and professional competencies through classroom training and attending workshops.
I provided staff with technical training.
I informed and educated department staff on technical issues.

Continuous Improvement

Continuous Improvement centers on systematically enhancing technical processes, tools, and outcomes over time. It is driven by data, feedback, and a mindset of iteration. While training may be one input to improvement, Continuous Improvement focuses on applying lessons learned to optimize workflows, reduce inefficiencies, and raise quality standards. Employees who excel here embed feedback loops, implement best practices, and use metrics to guide refinements. The emphasis is less on individual skill-building and more on evolving the technical system itself--its processes, standards, and performance--toward greater effectiveness and resilience.

I applied quality assurance methodologies to ensure deliverables met specifications and user needs.
I created runbooks and playbooks based on analyzed incident data to continually improve operations.
I championed technical standards, best practices, and governance across the organization.
I sought out emerging technical trends and integrated relevant innovations into team practices.
I improved operations through optimized resource allocation.
I drove continuous improvement by soliciting feedback, measuring outcomes, and iterating on technical solutions.
I analyzed workflows to remove waste and reduce cycle time.
I implemented continuous improvement loops driven by data.

Knowledge

Knowledge refers to the internalization, application, and sharing of technical understanding. It encompasses a manager's grasp of systems, procedures, and domain-specific expertise, as well as their ability to use that knowledge to coach others, interpret complex information, and make informed decisions. Employees strong in this area actively stay current through professional development, participate in technical communities, and foster a culture of learning by hosting knowledge-sharing sessions and mentoring staff. The emphasis is on what the manager knows and how they use that knowledge to elevate team performance and technical fluency.

I am knowledgeable of procedures or systems necessary for the job.
I provided real-time coaching during code reviews, design discussions, or incident response.
I leveraged knowledge to facilitate the understanding of technical reports.
I understood how different combinations of technical solutions may have impacted business operations.
I leveraged technical knowledge to train and advanced department staff.
I provided staff with a basic understanding of highly technical issues.
I developed and maintained technical "know-how" in the department.
I participated in technical communities, webinars, and forums to stay informed on industry developments.
I am knowledgeable of procedures or systems necessary for my job.
I hosted regular knowledge-sharing sessions to disseminate best practices and lessons learned.

Documentation

Documentation focuses on the externalization and preservation of technical knowledge. It involves creating, maintaining, and organizing written or digital records--such as manuals, runbooks, reports, and knowledge bases--that ensure continuity, clarity, and accessibility. Employees who excel in Documentation ensure that technical processes, decisions, and lessons learned are captured in a structured, accurate, and user-friendly format. While Knowledge is about possessing and transmitting expertise, Documentation is about codifying and institutionalizing it so that others can access and apply it independently, even in the manager's absence.

I created and maintained accessible technical documentation and knowledge bases.
I read technical manuals/reports as needed.
I designed technical reports that were easy to read and interpret.
I updated technical documentation when equipment or procedures were changed.
I presented technical reports in a way that was easy to understand.
I maintained oversight of technical documentation, ensuring accuracy, accessibility, and version control.
I documented technical processes, configurations, and decisions for future reference and continuity.
I implemented internal wikis, runbooks, or documentation hubs to support self-directed learning.
I documented failure modes and corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

Decision Making and Planning

Decision Making and Planning emphasizes how managers use information, frameworks, and foresight to make sound technical choices and prepare for future needs. It involves evaluating options, forecasting resource demands, coordinating deployments, and aligning technical initiatives with broader strategic goals. Managers strong in this area apply structured thinking to navigate complexity, balance trade-offs, and mitigate risk. Their focus is on what decisions to make and how to sequence them--ensuring that technical actions are intentional, well-timed, and aligned with long-term objectives.

I estimated technical effort and resources needed for upcoming projects.
I integrated technical roadmaps with broader operational or product strategies.
I implemented long-term strategic plans to continue to meet the department's technical needs.
I managed technical risk by identifying vulnerabilities and implementing mitigation plans.
I forecasted future technical needs based on usage trends, system performance, and organizational growth.
I assessed the downstream impact of technical decisions on users, systems, and teams.
I used data and stakeholder input to make timely, well-reasoned technical decisions.
I quantified technical risk (security, reliability, scalability) and planned for appropriate mitigations.
I evaluated multiple technical options and selected the one that best balanced cost, risk, and performance.
I coordinated technical handoffs and deployments to minimize disruption and ensured continuity.
I evaluated systems for technical efficiency and usability.
I applied structured decision frameworks (e.g., decision matrices, trade-off analyses) to complex technical choices.
I understood basic data and analytics to make informed decisions.

Measures

Measures focuses on the quantification, monitoring, and evaluation of technical performance. It reflects a manager's ability to define meaningful metrics, build dashboards, and use data to track progress, detect issues, and benchmark against peers. While Decision Making and Planning may use data as an input, Measures is about creating and maintaining the systems that generate that data. It's more operational and diagnostic--concerned with how well systems are performing, how to quantify effectiveness, and how to surface insights that drive improvement. In essence, Measures provides the instrumentation; Decision Making and Planning uses that instrumentation to steer.

I established technical metrics and KPIs to measure effectiveness and guide improvements.
I monitored system performance and availability, proactively addressing bottlenecks and outages.
I developed new KPIs and technical indicators.
I built dashboards and KPIs to monitor system health and team performance.
I established technical KPIs and reporting mechanisms to track system health and team performance.
I benchmarked systems and processes against peers and industry norms to identify improvement opportunities.
I monitored technical risk assessment issues that may have impacted the organization.
I monitored KPIs and technical indicators to keep ahead of industry peers.
I used automated testing and CI pipelines to verify behavior across environments.
I used quantitative metrics to set technical priorities and measure progress.
I implemented technical standards and benchmarks to maintain a competitive edge in the industry.

Roles

Roles emphasizes the formal positions, functions, and responsibilities an employee assumes to drive technical outcomes. These roles are often structural and visible--such as leading technical projects, advising senior leadership, chairing committees, or serving as the technical point of contact across teams. They reflect how a manager is positioned within the technical ecosystem: not just what they do, but what role they play in enabling execution, governance, and strategic alignment. Roles often involve coordination, representation, and accountability at the system or organizational level, signaling authority, ownership, and influence in technical domains.

I led technical due diligence during vendor selection, acquisitions, or major investments.
I oversaw technical onboarding for new hires, ensuring alignment with team practices and tools.
I participated in audited and compliance reviews, ensuring systems met regulatory and security requirements.
I chaired the technical steering committees and working groups.
I participated in the development of guidelines and policies around technical information.
I coordinated cross-functional dependencies to ensure smooth technical execution.
I led technical projects, coordinated resources, timelines, and deliverables to successful completion.
I maintained membership in technical societies and associations.
I served as the technical point of contact for cross-functional initiatives and external partners.
I provided technical assistance to the project team.
I played a key technical role on the team.
I acted as a technical advisor to senior leadership, translating complex issues into actionable insights.

Supportive

Supportive highlights the interpersonal and enabling behaviors a manager uses to help others succeed in technical contexts. It is less about formal authority and more about responsiveness, accessibility, and advocacy. Supportive employees ensure others have what they need--whether that's onboarding materials, access to information, or encouragement to contribute to technical decisions. They translate complex findings, hire for capability gaps, and reinforce compliance not as enforcers, but as enablers. While Roles define where a manager stands in the technical structure, Supportive reflects how they show up for others--especially in moments of learning, transition, or uncertainty.

I translated technical findings into clear, data-backed recommendations for stakeholders.
I gave support for technical advances.
I ensured compliance with industry standards, regulations, and internal technical policies.
I gave support to employees for access to technical information/reports.
I hired technical analysts as needed.
I developed onboarding materials to accelerate new hires' technical ramp-up.
I supported employee input to make timely, well-reasoned technical decisions.

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