What is a Skills Matrix? [Download free example template]

As many as 25 days a year are lost to data skills gaps according to Multiverse research.

A skills matrix can help map these gaps and give leaders direction on what action to take.

In this article, we’ll explore what is a skills matrix, how to use one, and best practices for creating your own.

What is a skills matrix?

A skills matrix maps employees’ skills onto a grid with each person rated for proficiency, helping leaders understand how well different teams or a whole workforce can perform specific tasks.

The exercise helps identify skills gaps and growth opportunities for current employees while acting as a roadmap for a wider skills strategy.

A skills matrix is different from a competencies matrix. A competency matrix looks broadly at attitudes, knowledge, and behaviours, whereas a skills matrix focuses purely on skills.

What is a skills matrix used for?

An estimated 11% of the working week is lost to data skills gaps, according to the Multiverse Skills Intelligence Report. But by mapping the gaps using a skills matrix business leaders can:

• Create well-rounded teams with complementary skills – putting the right people in the right place.
• Track progress in skill acquisition over time, with success measured against business goals.
• Support the case for employee training programmes and upskilling.

How to use a skills matrix

A skills matrix is based on data, helping you make better decisions about placing the right people on the right projects.

If information is lacking – for instance when a company has no central record of the skills available – it’s harder to make the best choices.

So, alongside a skills matrix, the best practice is to build a skills inventory – which digitally documents all the capabilities in a company.

Using this foundation, a skills matrix can assess the strengths and weaknesses of individuals, teams or departments – scored against company goals.

By comparing available skills, it helps you make informed decisions about employee training, resource allocation and hiring.

And because it’s grounded in data, you reduce the need to make skilling decisions based on guesswork or industry trends.

Skills matrix example – free template to use

Below is an example of a skills gap matrix – mapping out the desired skills with scoring for where an employee is today and the ambition for the future.

What should be included in a skills matrix?

When used as part of a skills gap analysis, an effective skills matrix will bring together several elements beyond the table of desired skills scored against a proficiency scale.

Here are five best practice points for using a skill matrix:

1. Create a skill taxonomy: Follow a structured list of skills defined across all departments, as part of a skills inventory. Standardising the language makes it easier to measure and track progress.
2. Calibrate skills matrix proficiency scales: Make sure these reflect business needs and with clear progression across different levels. This ensures consistency when used across the business.
3. Integrate with HRIS (HR information systems) and skills assessment tools: Make your skills matrix a live document, allowing for continuous monitoring with updates made in one central place – helping you track progress and prove ROI.
4. Workforce planning: Use predictive analytics to assess future skill needs with strategic workforce planning. Identify opportunities for upskilling/retraining the existing workforce and ensure efforts create immediate business impact, not just provide an employee benefit.
5. Foster a culture of continuous skill development: Encourage employees to take a stake in their progression while showing how they can make an impact on business goals.

Using a skills matrix to prevent skills gaps

When demand for AI and data skills is growing, leaders looking to the future can benefit from mapping their current skills gaps using a skills matrix.

The time to act is now: 90% of employees want to improve their data skills, according to the Multiverse Skills Intelligence Report