Assessing Behavioral Competencies in HR - Barcelona 16 November 2026
: 51Introduction:
This professional course is the most comprehensive reference in the field of human competency assessment. It takes trainees from theoretical concepts to advanced practical application in line with internationally recognized standards (IPAC, SHRM, EFPA). The course covers the entire assessment system: building competency frameworks, designing assessment tools, running assessment centers, applying psychometric tests, assessing behavioral and technical competencies, and writing professional reports.
The course also includes intensive hands-on workshops based on real cases, and a full simulation of an assessment center conducted by the trainees themselves. The aim is to prepare certified assessors capable of supporting hiring, promotion, development, and leadership succession decisions with a high degree of scientific accuracy.
Course Objectives:
The program aims to equip participants to:
- Master the scientific and methodological foundations of competency assessment in line with international standards.
- Build an integrated Competency Framework for the organization.
- Design and manage professional assessment centers with all their tools.
- Apply and interpret psychometric tests with scientific rigor.
- Conduct structured competency-based interviews using STAR and BARS.
- Prepare professional assessment reports and deliver effective feedback.
- Link assessment results to hiring, promotion, development, and succession decisions.
- Build a governance and quality assurance system for organizational assessment processes.
Scientific Themes:
Day 1: Scientific Foundations of Competency Assessment
- The evolution of competency assessment science: McClelland and modern models
- Defining competency: knowledge, skills, behavior, values, motives
- The Iceberg model of competencies
- International standards: IPAC, ISO 10667, EFPA
- Types of competencies
- Assessment ethics
Day 2: Building the Competency Framework (1)
- Job Analysis
- Critical Incident Technique (CIT)
- Deriving core competencies
- Drafting competency definitions
Day 3: Building the Competency Framework (2)
- Developing behavioral levels (Behavioral Anchors)
- Competency maps
- Designing leadership and functional models
- Validating validity and reliability
Day 4: Competency Assessment Tools
- The assessment tools map
- 360-degree assessment
- Self-assessment and its limitations
- Behavioral observation
- Digital tools and artificial intelligence
Day 5: Behavioral Interviews (CBI)
- Structured and unstructured interviews
- The STAR methodology
- Formulating behavioral questions
- Probing techniques
- Detecting fabricated answers
Day 6: Interview Evaluation and Behavior Analysis
- Evaluating answers according to [incomplete in the original]
- Reducing bias in assessment
- Analyzing behavioral evidence
- Full interview simulations
Day 7: Assessment Centers (1): Design
- The concept of assessment centers
- Types of assessment centers
- The Multi-Method principle
- Designing exercises: In-Basket, role-play
Day 8: Assessment Centers (2): Implementation
- Leaderless group discussion
- Presentation exercises
- Designing the Assessment Matrix
- Simulating a full assessment center
Day 9: Psychometric Tests
- Fundamentals of psychological measurement
- Personality tests: Big Five, DISC, Hogan, etc.
- Cognitive ability tests
- Interpreting reports and linking them to competencies
- Professional accreditations: BPS, [incomplete in the original]
Day 10: Reports and Decision-Making
- Writing professional assessment reports
- Calibration sessions
- Delivering feedback
- Linking results to Individual Development Plans (IDPs)
- Assessment governance and quality assurance
Day 11: Final Project
