View category - Work Activities

Skills and Competencies Taxonomy 2023 Version 1.0

General types of work-related activities.

Mental Process-Oriented Activities

The processing, planning, problem solving, and decision-making activities that are necessary for the overall completion of a job.

Descriptor	Definition
Developing Objectives and Strategies	Define and establish medium to long-term objectives, and determine strategies and actions to achieve them.
Making Decisions [Endnotes] For the purposes of the Taxonomy, the title of the O*NET descriptor “Making Decision and Solving Problems” has been changed to “Making Decisions”. In the August 2019 version of the Taxonomy, the French translation is titled “Prises de décisions”. In the 2022 version of the Taxonomy, this title has been changed to “Prendre des décisions”. The use of the verb in the infinitive makes it possible to express a dimension of activity.	Choose the best solution based on the analysis of information and the evaluation of potential results.
Planning and Organizing [Endnotes] For the purposes of the Taxonomy, the title of the O*NET descriptor “Organizing, Planning and Prioritizing Work” has been changed to “Planning and Organizing”. The French translation is titled “Planifier et organiser”.	Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize and organize tasks to get the work done.
Scheduling Work and Activities	Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
Thinking Creatively	Generating innovative or creative ideas to develop or design new application, products, including artistic contributions.
Applying New Knowledge [Endnotes] For the purposes of the Taxonomy, the title of the O*NET descriptor “Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge” has been changed to “Applying New Knowledge”. The French translation is titled “Appliquer de nouvelles connaissances ”.	Keep up-to-date on relevant theorical and technical knowledge and apply them at work.
Managing Resources [Endnotes] For the purposes of the Taxonomy, the title of the O*NET descriptor “Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money” has been changed to “Managing Resources”. The French translation is titled “Gérer des ressources”.	Determining, acquiring, monitoring and controlling any kind of resources and overseeing the spending of money.
Examining and Diagnosing	Assessing the human, animal, technical, or scientific dimensions of a problem through examination or diagnostic testing in order to determine its root cause and appropriate intervention (excluding all forms of interviews).
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance	Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations or standards.
Judging Quality	Assessing the value, importance or quality of materials, products, services or people.
Calculating	Performing, interpreting, and reporting mathematical operations as part of work tasks.

People-Oriented Activities

The activities where social interaction with others is necessary to meet the requirements of the job.

Descriptor	Definition
Coaching and Developing Others [Endnotes] The O*NET descriptor title, "Coaching and Developing Others", has been translated into French as "Encadrer et former des personnes".	Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
Providing Consultation and Advice	Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems, or process related topics.
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others	Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
Supervising Subordinates [Endnotes] For the purposes of the Taxonomy, the title of the O*NET descriptor “Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates” has been changed to “Supervising Subordinates”. The French translation is titled “Superviser des subalternes”.	Provide guidance and direction to subordinates, including the establishment of work outcomes for performance monitoring.
Team Building	Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
Training and Teaching	Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
Communicating with Coworkers [Endnotes] For the purposes of the Taxonomy, the title of the O*NET descriptor “Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates” has been changed to “Communicating with Coworkers”. The French translation is titled “Communiquer avec les collègues de travail”.	Sharing or providing information or advice to management, supervisors, co-workers and subordinates on work related topics.
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others	Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships	Developing respectful, constructive, and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Facilitating Group Discussion	Encouraging exchanges by facilitating participation in group interviews and discussions to improve dialogue, decision making or problem solving.
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others	Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
Interviewing	Conduct formal interviews with individual or group to collect information or opinions (excluding interviews for the purpose of staffing or recruitment).
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public	Working or interacting directly with the public or performing for public audiences.
Communicating with Persons Outside Organization	Sharing or exchanging information with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government or other external sources.
Protecting and Enforcing	Responding to public safety, security and cybersecurity needs, and promoting and ensuring compliance to rules, standards or laws to protect the general population from all kinds of significant danger (excluding medical treatments).
Selling or Influencing Others	Convincing others to buy goods or services, or to change their minds or actions.
Assisting and Caring for Others	Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other care to customers, clients, or patients.
Staffing [Endnotes] For the purposes of the Taxonomy, the title of the O*NET descriptor “Staffing Organizational Units” has been changed to “Staffing”. The French translation is titled “Mener des activités de dotation”.	Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization (excluding non-recruitment interviews).

Information-Oriented Activities

Information and data management and processing activities that are necessary to meet the requirements of the job.

Descriptor	Definition
Document Use [Endnotes] This descriptor comes from ESDC’s Office of Literacy and Essential Skills.	Reading, understanding, retaining, and using relevant information from texts, numbers, symbols, graphics, and images in electronic or paper format.
Getting Information	Observing, receiving, or obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings	Tracking and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment to detect or assess problems and progress.
Developing Technical Instructions [Endnotes] For the purposes of the Taxonomy, the title of the O*NET descriptor "Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Designing Technical Equipment” has been changed to “Developing Technical Instructions”. The French translation is titled “Développer des instructions techniques”.	Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
Analyzing Data or Information	Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Information Synthesis	Gather information from multiple sources into a coherent whole and summarize it.
Clerical Activities [Endnotes] For the purposes of the Taxonomy, the title of the O*NET descriptor “Recording Information” has been changed to “Clerical Activities”. The French translation is titled “Tâches administratives”.	Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining all types of information in written or electronic form.
Comparing	Determining the functional or structural characteristics of data, people, or things by finding similarities and differences from a model or established standards.
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics	Estimating cost, resources or materials needed to perform a work activity.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events	Identifying information by categorizing, recognizing differences or similarities, measuring, investigating, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material	Inspecting equipment, structures, or material to identify the cause of errors, problems or defects.
Processing Information	Compiling, categorizing, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Physically-Oriented Activities

The physical activities that are performed, equipment and vehicles that are operated, or any other technical activities accomplished to meet the requirements of the job.

Descriptor	Definition
Constructing	Joining building materials into a structure, applying interior or exterior finishes or installing building systems according to specifications and plans.
Controlling Machines and Processes	Using mechanisms or physical activity to control the operation of machines or processes (excluding computers or vehicles).
Handling and Moving Objects	Using hands and arms to install, fabricate and, repair objects; or to move or manipulate objects and materials (excluding construction occupations).
Manipulating - Operating	Using hand-held and power tools or special devices to move, remove, guide, install and place objects or materials.
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment	Manoeuvring, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
Sorting	Handling, retrieving, sorting, separating, or arranging materials or information, according to established patterns or procedures.
Catering	Preparing or cooking food and beverage by combining ingredients.
Performing Janitorial Services	Cleaning and maintaining commercial, public, or private places.
Performing General Physical Activities	Performing physical activities that require use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
Debugging and Reprogramming	Modifying systems through upgrading, amending procedures, or correcting faults.
Electronic Maintenance [Endnotes] For the purposes of the Taxonomy, the title of the O*NET descriptor “Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment” has been changed to “Electronic Maintenance”. The French translation is titled “Entretien électronique”.	Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate on electrical or electronic principles.
Interacting with Computers	Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software), and equipment with digital interface to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, process information, or control machines.
Mechanical Maintenance [Endnotes] For the purposes of the Taxonomy, the title of the O*NET descriptor “Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment” has been changed to “Mechanical Maintenance”. The French translation is titled “Entretien Mécanique”.	Servicing, repairing, adjusting, or testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate on mechanical principles.
Writing or Composing	Writing or composing original material using symbols such as letters of the alphabet or musical notation to communicate thoughts and ideas in a readable or audible form.
Artistic Designing	Creating and designing artistic drawing and visual representation, and arranging displays, exhibits or decorations.

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Date modified:: 2019-03-01