The Importance of Self-Assessment – By Rebecca Connor

What is a self assessment map? A self assessment map is a tool used personally and professionally to gain an understanding of what professional criteria is being brought to the current roles by the work force. It helps people gain an understanding of what skills they already have and use within their position and other skills that they may show slightly but need to improve. There are many different forms of self-assessment maps that are used both personally and by organisations.
Companies will use these maps to see where their employees are within their current role and using the self assessment tool they can observe and implement the next steps for the staff member. The map will also help show whether the employee fits in professionally with the organisation’s needs. Using the assessment maps means that management are able to pick up on how their personnel are coping within their roles and whether they may be able to progress , whether there is anything that needs updating or developing within their skill set. This will then enable them to encourage their staff members to learn newer skills that are being used within their role. Completing the maps and gaining an understanding of skills that the work force can learn and develop will benefit the company as they will be up to date with many skills that are required within their roles.
Not only are the maps used within organisations, they can also be used personally. They can be used as a self-assessment tool; many people use them to see what skills and attributes they show which are relevant to their current position. It is also important to complete the assessment often so that they themselves can see what they may need to improve upon and what they may be able to complete to be able to take the next steps within their career.
Self-Assessment maps are an important part of CPD (Continuous Professional Development), which is important within any career. CPD is important, not only do employees develop and evolve skills continuously throughout their career; they also learn new skills that are valuable to their working experience.
An example of a self-assessment map is an HRPM (Human Resources Professional Map), this is a self-assessment tool which is important to use within any HR career. The HRPM is split into four bands, from entry level positions (band 1) to an assistant (band 2) then a manager (band 3) and a leader (band 4). This map is used throughout every single one of these positions so that they can see what behaviours they need for their role and also see what band and professional areas they fit into within each stage of their career. There are eight behaviours on the HRPM that are all important within Human Resources. These are important in human resources, because not only do you have to help keep the organisation running smoothly, there are many general roles, such as recruitment, training, developing and leading which will all need these behaviours one way or another.
The eight behaviours are:
• Curiosity, not only are they forward thinking but they are open minded and are looking for innovative ways that will add value to the organisation.
• Decisive thinker, they use knowledge and information, gained from data, to identify options and make defendable decisions.
• Skilled influencer, to have the ability to influence in order to gain necessary support and commitment from stakeholders.
• Personally Credible, is able to build and deliver professionalism when combining both commercial and HR expertise to bring value to the organisation.
• Collaborative, is able to effectively and inclusively work with various people within and outside the organisation.
• Driven to Deliver, can show they are determined, resourceful and have a purpose to deliver the best results for the company.
• Courage to Challenge, has courage and confidence to speak skilfully, can challenge others this may be when they are being confronted or meeting resistance, however they may be in unfamiliar circumstances.
• Role Model, this is a person who continuously lead by example, acts with independence and impartiality, along with integrity. A person who can balance personal, organisation and legal parameters.
All of these behaviours can help within any career not just in Human Resources. The behaviours shown are important to any company, not only is it important to be determined, driven, curious and a decisive thinker, because these attributes can help you within many positions. It is also important to be able to work with others inside and outside of the organisation, along with having courage to challenge; showing that they have the confidence to speak up and challenge others even when met with resistance is a great behaviour to implement.
I feel that self-assessment maps are an important tool within any sort of career path; they are an essential part of learning and developing whilst progressing within the chosen career path. It is important for both the employee and the employer to see the development of professional skills and behaviours that are pertinent to their position within the organisation. I used the HRPM as an example of a self-assessment map, however I feel that even though the professional areas mostly link to the HR role the behaviours link to any career and should be implemented within most roles.