Developing a Technical Skills Inventory: Why It Matters and How to Do It

Technical skills are critical to progressing in a career. Creating an inventory of technical skills is important It helps employees see what they are good at, spot any gaps to improve, and gives concrete details to share with their manager or use in their next job search.

Understanding Technical Skills

Technical skills refer to the abilities and knowledge an employee needs to perform specific tasks.  They include skills relating to mechanical or digital technologies. Showing technical skills helps in career development and planning.

To build an inventory of technical skills, list technologies, systems, and tools they are proficient in, such as:

• Software (Photoshop, SQL, Python)
• Platforms (Windows, Mac, Linux)
• Equipment (cameras, networking devices)

Note the level of ability for each item. They can be beginner, intermediate, or expert. List any relevant certifications or credentials as well.

Updating technical skills inventory regularly helps ensure  employee development and growth  It also makes them aware of  skills gaps so they can pursue trainings to improve their abilities. A thorough inventory gives a full picture of the technical abilities of an employee. This allows them to effectively share their skills and advance in their career.

Why Do Technical Skills Matter?

Technical skills are vital in today's job market. Employees with strong technical skills are highly sought after since they can quickly adapt to changes in the workplace.

Technical skills matter because technology powers most modern businesses. As jobs become more automated, workers need to show they can run new systems and use tools to increase productivity. Employers promote people with up-to-date technical skills faster and earn higher salaries.

Staying on top of key technical skills also makes individuals more adaptable. Employees who build their skills are ready to take on new roles or shift into emerging ones.

Growing a broad range of technical skills is vital for career growth in the 21st century. With the rapid pace of technological change, lifelong learning is the key.

How to Identify Technical Skills?

Technical skills refer to the abilities and knowledge an employee needs to perform specific tasks. These are practical skills and often relate to working with various technologies, tools, and software.

Some ways to uncover technical skills include:

• Reviewing the list of requirements in job postings. Make a list of the hard and soft skills mentioned.
• Analyzing the tasks and duties the current or earlier roles require. Decide what skills, abilities, and knowledge are needed to complete key job functions.

Asking others what they perceive as key technical strengths and talents.

• Finding technologies, systems, software, and tools previously used. The ability to use these technical tools shows valuable skills.
• Considering any relevant degrees, certifications, courses, or training. The knowledge and competencies from these can stand for significant technical skills.
• Brainstorming a list of skills performed well. Interests and natural talents often closely relate to skills.

Following these steps can develop a thorough inventory of technical skills.  Keeping an up-to-date skills list can help in career planning and open more prospects.

Building a Technical Skills Inventory

Building a technical skills inventory involves documenting the skills and competencies of individuals in a company. It helps find skills gaps and strengths, guides hiring and training decisions, and supports career development planning.

Developing a technical skills inventory starts by finding the key technical skills various roles require. Allow employees to show their other skills, experience, certifications, and interests. In this way, employers can assess them on technical and soft skills through tests, interviews, and performance reviews.

With this information, creation of skills inventories for each employee comes easy. Employers need to update these  documents regularly and use them to support workforce and succession planning. A technical skills inventory is a valuable tool for developing talent and building a strong, capable team.

Tips for Documenting and Communicating Technical Skills

Follow these tips to effectively document technical skills:

Ask for input

Employees can talk to managers and colleagues about the key skills they see in them. Their outside perspective can reveal strengths employees do not notice.

Be specific

Rather than just listing “project management,” specify the methodologies, tools, and processes expertise. For example, “Agile project management using JIRA.” Employees can quantify their experience if possible.

Give examples

For each skill, it is best to give one or two concrete examples of when employees use a skill in a work context. Brief examples bring the skill to life and highlight their expertise.

Keep skills current

Review and refresh the technical skills inventory every 6-12 months. Employees can update skills or add new skills to keep the documentation relevant.

Sharing the skills

Employees must make skills visible to key stakeholders. Keep an up-to-date skills profile on the company intranet or internal social network. It is best to share these during performance reviews and career development talks. A more visible skills inventory lead to new openings.

Communicating technical skills and keeping them up to date is vital to career growth. Following these best practices will ensure employees have a robust, compelling skills profile to share across the company.

Identifying, documenting, and keeping technical skills up to date is crucial for career evolution and opening new breaks. While it may seem like an administrative hassle, keeping a skills inventory can give clarity on a person’s strengths, highlight any skills gaps, and give a roadmap for developing ability. The next time a new project or role comes up, employers have a ready reference on how an employee’s skills match and where they need to brush up.