Competence matrices as an instrument for scheduling production and planning human resource training needs

Purpose: The main purpose of this study was to present the possibilities of using the competence matrix in the prioritizing of manufacturing activities. Design/methodology/approach: The article discusses one of the enterprise’s human resource management instruments, which are competence matrices. Competence development model of enterprise was presented and model of using technological competences was discussed. Findings: The way of using competence matrices, as a tool to support task scheduling that is carried out by direct production employees in the area of discrete processes, was presented. The author showed, that competence matrices can enable the identification of competence gaps and thus be a tool for planning the training needs of employees, recruitment and selection of employees, making decisions about transfers and building a remuneration system. Research limitations/implications: An important condition for the successful implementation of solutions based on competence matrices is the correct determination of the level of required and expected technological competence and prior declaration of the list of technological operations. Practical implications: The solution described above, consisting in the use of technological competence matrices in the area of production planning, has been used in the calculation algorithms of the IPOsystem™ application. It is a product of the Polish company UiBS Teamwork Sp. z o.o. Originality/value: The use of competence matrices in prioritizing production tasks is undoubtedly a new issue. It is an indicator of the level of organization’s maturity, which results from the need to adapt production enterprises to changing environmental conditions.