Overview
Competency Levels let you set clear proficiency levels for each skill or behavior relevant to a role (for example: Basic → Intermediate → Advanced).
They are directly connected to your Job Catalogue and Performance Reviews, ensuring that feedback and development discussions are consistent and fair across the company.
When and why it should be used
- Provide structured feedback based on observable behaviors, not just results.
- Define transparent expectations for each role and seniority level.
- Identify development opportunities and training needs.
- Gain visibility into the company’s overall skill and competency distribution.
- This functionality replaces manual competency tracking in spreadsheets and keeps all data centralized in Factorial.
How to Use
- On your sidebar, go to performance → Competencies tab
- Click New competency to create a new skill or behavior
- For each competency, define multiple proficiency levels (e.g., Basic, Intermediate, Advanced)
- Describe what each level means in observable terms
- Open a role in the Job Catalogue
- Under the Competencies tab, select which competencies apply and the expected level for that role or seniority
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Import your existing competencies (optional)
If your company already has a competency framework, you can import it directly into Factorial—no need to recreate it manually
- Sync with Performance Reviews, competency Levels are automatically linked to Performance Reviews, so managers can evaluate collaborators based on the predefined expectations.
Tips and Best Practices
- Keep descriptions observable: Write level descriptions based on visible behaviors or outcomes to ensure objectivity.
- Involve managers: Encourage department heads to review and validate competencies for accuracy.
- Review regularly: Revisit competencies as roles evolve to keep them relevant.
- Use levels for development paths: Incorporate them into 1:1s and growth plans to make development tangible.
FAQ
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Can I use Competency Levels without the new Job Catalogue?
No. Competency Levels are available only with the new Job Catalogue structure introduced in late October 2025.
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When will existing customers get access?
Migration for existing customers begins in late November 2025, together with the migration to the new Job Catalogue.
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Can I customize the number of levels per competency?
Yes, you can define as many levels as your framework requires.