The Problem: Competencies Remain Invisible
In most companies, enormous potential lies dormant—it is simply not recognized. Leaders often do not know which competencies truly exist within their teams. The consequence: misplacements, unused potential, and training budgets that go to waste.
According to a recent study by McKinsey, 87% of companies already see or will see significant skills gaps in the coming years. Yet only a fraction have the tools to systematically capture these.
The Valcom Approach: Science Meets Practice
Valcom combines the scientifically grounded competency research of Prof. Dr. Werner Sauter with modern technology. The result: a diagnostic platform that not only measures competencies but also develops them.
The 4 Competency Areas
Each competency is located in one of four areas:
- Personal Competencies – Self-reflection, willingness to learn, resilience
- Activity Competencies – Decision-making ability, initiative, implementation strength
- Technical-methodical Competencies – Analytical thinking, problem-solving, expertise
- Social-communicative Competencies – Teamwork, empathy, conflict resolution
With around 390 curated soft skills and value terms, Valcom offers the most comprehensive competency framework in the German-speaking region.
How the Diagnostics Work
Step 1: Self-assessment
Employees evaluate their own competencies based on concrete behavioral anchors. Not abstract scales, but observable behavior in everyday work.
Step 2: 360° Feedback
Leaders, colleagues, and if applicable, external partners provide their assessments. The combination of self- and external assessment delivers a realistic overall picture.
Step 3: AI-supported Evaluation
Valcom analyzes the results and identifies:
- Individual strengths and development areas
- Team-level skills gaps
- Organization-wide competency trends
Step 4: Development Paths
Based on the diagnostics, Valcom creates personalized development recommendations—no seminar catalogs, but practical projects and tasks that are directly implemented in the workday.
Why Practical Projects Instead of Seminars?
Research is clear: self-organized action can only be learned by doing. Therefore, Valcom consistently relies on the approach that work and learning grow together.
Instead of two-day workshops whose contents are forgotten after two weeks, Valcom accompanies employees through their development process with concrete practical projects. The learning effect is sustainable because it takes place directly in the work context.
The ROI of Systematic Competency Diagnostics
Companies that use systematic skills management report:
- 40% fewer misplacements in internal job changes
- 60% higher effectiveness of training investments
- Significantly higher employee retention through individual development perspectives
Conclusion
Competency diagnostics is the first and most important step toward future-proof personnel development. Those who make existing competencies visible can purposefully develop instead of training randomly. Valcom provides the scientifically based tool for this.