Skill matrix: the talent management tool

salome@merca.team

Update
January 28, 2025

Reading
3 minutes

Things to remember

  • The skill matrix is a strategic tool for managing skills and authorizations which centralizes the know-how, certifications and mastery levels of our employees.

  • It facilitates talent planning, training and deployment while guaranteeing compliance, traceability and operational performance.

  • Used properly, it becomes a central repository for HR and productionThis is a key factor in the company's success, supporting versatility, know-how transfer and strategic decision-making.

  • Visit digitalization via SaaS software eliminates Excel limitations, automates alerts and optimizes collaboration between managers, HR and field teams.

What is a skill matrix?

Visit skill matrix is a talent management tool that maps the know-how available and needed within a production team. A key tool for business management and human resources managementit facilitatesassignment the right people in the right jobs, the managing versatilityand audit preparation.

It is based on a frame of reference clear, integrating :

  • L'employee interest for each skill
  • Visit technical skills and soft skills
  • Visit regulatory certifications
  • Visit expiration dates

It is also a lever for optimizing career management, customer relations and skills gaps, thanks to tailored management solutions.

The different types of matrices available

  • Versatility matrixThe "multi-tasking" approach: emphasizes the ability to hold several positions.
  • Authorization matrixfollows compulsory certifications (e.g. electrical clearance).
  • Training matrixThe "Skills" and "Personalized career paths" section.

🎯 Request a free demo of Mercateam software

Building an effective skill matrix

  • Integrate matrix in a management software connected to information system RH
  • Identifying key skills with managers and project managers
  • Defining mastery levels (beginner, operational, expert)
  • Evaluate via self-assessments, managerial evaluations and feedback 360°
  • Update regularly after training or change of position

A high-performance management solution can also automate inventory management, forecast skills and centralize data in a CRM or business intelligence tool.

Concrete benefits for your industrial site

  • Real-time visibility for identify qualified employees
  • Anticipation loss of know-how and training planning
  • Assignment optimization thanks to indicators and dashboards
  • Strengthening leadership and decision-making with reliable data
  • Continuous improvement performance through alignment with objectives

For managers and HR departments, skill matrix integrated into a management software package becomes a strategic tool for forward-looking skills management, training management and customer relationship management.

Defining mastery levels

A clear rating scale makes it possible to evaluate skills objectively. Recommended approach:

Level 1 - Beginner

Level 2 - Operational

Level 3 - Expert

The evaluation and updating process

The matrix must remain a living tool:

  • Initial assessment by the manager with validation by the operator
  • Updated after each training course or qualification
  • Quarterly skills review with teams
  • Follow-up of authorization expiry dates
  • Update during annual performance reviews

Management software packages automate this process, integrating data into a collaborative dashboard and ensuring full traceability of updates.

Mistakes to avoid

Several pitfalls can compromise the matrix's effectiveness:

  • List too many non-essential skills
  • Neglecting operator validation
  • Forget to update regularly
  • Limiting yourself to technical skills
  • No clear definition of expected levels

Digitizing the skill matrix

Switch from Excel to SaaS management tool allows :

  • Real-time updates
  • Automatic alerts
  • Monitoring skills and certifications
  • Collaboration between HR and operational functions
  • Reporting and dashboards customizable for strategic steering

Real-life industrial applications

Here are some examples of the concrete impact of a digitalized skill matrix :

Groupe SEB Digitalization has made it possible to :

  • Delete 35 Excel files
  • Save 30% in scheduling time
  • Digitizing 569 skills for 166 employees

LVMH Fragrances Brands At the Beauvais site (235 employees), the digital matrix has :

  • Minimized assignment errors
  • Centralized skills tracking
  • Easier management of 90 weekly temps

Trigano's experience illustrates these limits: more than 50 Excel files were needed to track skills, wasting a considerable amount of time.

At Shiseido (see video Shiseido case), digitization has enabled division managers to save 4 hours a week and increase the versatility of their teams by 34%.

🎯 Request a free demo of Mercateam software

Share

What is a skill matrix?

A skill matrix is a competency management tool that maps the skills available and needed in a team. It enables you to quickly identify who masters which skills, plan training, manage authorizations and optimize the assignment of employees to the right positions.

What's the point of a skill matrix?

In a company, a skill matrix is used to :
- Monitor team skills and authorizations in real time
- Developing versatility and anticipating training needs
- Easier audit preparation thanks to clear traceability
- Aligning human resources with operational and strategic needs

How do you create a skill matrix?

To create a skill matrix, you need :
- List the key skills required for each position
- Evaluate each employee's level of mastery
- Define a clear scale (e.g. beginner, operational, expert)
- Organize data in a readable table
- Update regularly after each training session or upgrade

By salome@merca.team
at Mercateam

His other articles

See all

These articles may be of interest to you

Take back control of your production teams' skills
and organization now.

Switch to a centralized platform to boost productivity and enjoy peace of mind every day.

See all case studies

;

This website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience and ensure the site functions properly. By continuing to use this site, you acknowledge and accept our use of cookies.

Accept All Accept Required Only