Competence. The STAMPP of approval.

Posted by Adam Harries on Monday, October 27, 2014


Human factors is an area of study that concerns how human behaviour influences circumstances, events and outcomes. In a health and safety context this is important, due to the simple fact that virtually any undesired event or circumstance will, at some point, involve a real human being.

One element of human performance that is closely connected to human behaviour is competence, which is the ability to perform to a required standard. Many things influence a persons competence. A couple of models that can be used as a foundation for further analysis are outlined below:

Get your SKATE's on...
  • Skills
  • Knowledge
  • Attitude
  • Training
  • Experience

and/or...

The STAMPP of approval...
  • Skills
  • Training
  • Attitude
  • Motivation
  • Perception
  • Personality

Each of the above bullet points could be expanded on by using a line of questioning along the lines of; who, what, why, when, where, how?

An important additional point, although it could be included under the 'attitude' heading, is that a person needs to have an awareness of the extent of their own competence. They need to be able to identify the point at which they need help and go seek it, rather than continue (which could happen out of fear of appearing incompetent).

A parting thought...

Every single person you have ever met, or will ever meet, knows something that you do not.


Tags: competence  "human factors"