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Spreadsheet competency framework
8 July 2016

This spreadsheet competency framework is a structure for assessing ability and proficiency when using spreadsheets.

It can be used by recruitment agencies, companies, job seekers, training providers and anyone else who uses spreadsheets to carry out their role.

The framework consists of four key skill groups, described as levels. Each has its own expected core competencies, and other indicative skills:

  • Basic user. Carries out data entry tasks in spreadsheets, and will have only the most fundamental knowledge necessary to be able to interact with a spreadsheet.
  • General user. Modifies spreadsheets, rather than creates sophisticated spreadsheets from scratch.
  • Creator. Uses spreadsheets as a primary element of their role, and needs to consider how to create and manage spreadsheets of a greater degree of complexity.
  • Developer. Truly expert spreadsheet users, who are familiar with most of the core functionality of spreadsheet packages, and are able to develop high-complexity spreadsheets in a multi-user environment.

This competency framework builds on the twenty principles for good spreadsheet practice.

Full article: Spreadsheet competency framework