On the measurement of competency

Across multiple societal sectors, demand is growing to measure individual and group competencies. This paper unpacks Hartig et al.\u27s (2008) competency definition as a complex ability construct closely related to real-life-situation performance to make it amenable to measurement. Unpacked following the assessment triangle (construct, observation, inference), competency measurement is exemplified by research from business, military and education sectors. Generalizability theory, a statistical theory for modeling and evaluating the dependability of competency scores, is applied to several of these examples. The paper then pulls together the threads into a general competency measurement model. (DIPF/Orig.