---
title: "Managing skills: framework, matrix and gaps"
description: Build the skills framework, set the required levels per position and read the gaps in the matrix.
url: "https://illizeo.com/en/centre-aide/training-skills/"
updated: "2026-11-01"
category: Training
---

# Managing skills: framework, matrix and gaps

The Training module measures the gap between the skills each position requires and those each person holds. You build a framework (axes, skills, a level scale), set the required levels per position, then read the gaps in the matrix and prepare the skills section of the annual review. This article is for HR, line managers and administrators.

## Before you start

- The Training module must be installed for your workspace.
- Building the framework: the "Training module settings" permission (Training part of the role matrix), **Execute** level.
- Opening the matrix, setting a position's required levels, giving a manager assessment: the "Skills" permission, **Execute** level. The matrix only shows employees in your role's population and the teams you manage.
- Planning training from a gap: also "Training requests" at the Execute level.
- Every employee sees their own profile with "My training space".

## Building the framework

Open **Settings › Training › Skills & assessments** (or the **Framework & requirements** button in the matrix). The page has four working tabs: **Framework**, **Library**, **Required levels** and **Scale**.

### Starting from the library

The **Library** tab offers ready-made skills in four languages, grouped into families (common core and job families). Search with **Search a skill**, tick those you need (or **Tick all** for a family), then click **Adopt N skill(s)**. A skill that already has the same name in your framework is linked, not duplicated; the **In your framework** label marks those already adopted.

![The Library tab of the Skills & assessments settings: search, skill families with tick boxes and the Adopt button](https://i0.wp.com/illizeo.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/training-skills-01.en_.png?resize=800%2C500&quality=80&ssl=1)
Settings › Training › Skills & assessments › Library.

### Creating axes and skills

1. In the **Framework** tab, click **Create an axis** and enter the **Axis name**. French is required; English, German and Italian are optional (French is shown when a translation is missing).
2. In an axis, click **Add a skill**: **Skill name**, **What is expected of the person**, and two boxes, **Critical skill** and **Active in the matrix**.
3. Click **Save**.

Each skill shows how it is used (assessments, positions, courses) or "never used".

### Setting the scale

The **Scale** tab has six levels, from 0 to 5. Defaults: 0 Not acquired, 1 Basic knowledge, 2 Operational, 3 Autonomous, 4 Expert, 5 Reference person. For each level, fill in the **Label** and **What this level means** in each language, then click **Save the scale**.

### Setting required levels per position

1. In the **Required levels** tab, find a position with **Search a position**. The list shows the number of requirements per position, and positions with no holder.
2. Set the expected level (0 to 5) for each skill. 0 means "not required".
3. Click **Save**. The position's holders are notified of the change.

![The Required levels tab: list of positions on the left with their number of requirements, grid of levels 0 to 5 per skill for the selected position on the right, Save button](https://i0.wp.com/illizeo.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/training-skills-02.en_.png?resize=800%2C500&quality=80&ssl=1)
Required levels: a level from 0 to 5 per skill and position.

### Working in a spreadsheet

On the Framework and Required levels tabs, **Export to Excel** produces a workbook (skills, required levels, scale). Edit it, then use **Import a workbook**: **Checking the workbook** lists errors by sheet and row, or announces what the import will do (axes and skills created, skills updated, required levels changed). Nothing is written until you click **Import**.

## Reading the matrix

Open **Training › Steer › Skills matrix**. The **Skills & assessments** page shows four tiles: **Overall coverage**, **Critical gaps** (2+ levels short), **Recently assessed**, **To refresh** (assessments older than 18 months). The **Team** and **Axis** filters narrow the display.

- **Gaps & coverage**: for each skill, the people concerned, at level, −1 level, −2 or more, not assessed, and the coverage rate. A skill never assessed counts towards the shortfall.
- **Matrix**: one row per employee, one column per skill. The **Level** / **Gap** toggle changes what each cell shows. A dotted border marks an assessment older than 18 months; a grey cell, a skill not required for the position.

![The Skills & assessments page, Gaps & coverage view: coverage tiles, Team and Axis filters, and a table per skill showing people at level, one level short, two or more short, not assessed, and the Plan button](https://i0.wp.com/illizeo.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/training-skills-03.en_.png?resize=800%2C500&quality=80&ssl=1)
Training › Steer › Skills matrix, Gaps & coverage view.

## A person's profile

In the **Matrix** view, click a name to open their **Skills profile**: position coverage, held and required level for each skill, **Suggested training** (catalogue courses that close their gaps) and **Individual targets**.

### Setting an individual target

A target replaces the position's required level for that person only, for example to prepare a move. The person's manager can set one, as can holders of the "Skills" permission at the Execute level; nobody can set one for themselves.

1. In the profile, click **Set a target**.
2. Choose the **Skill** and the **Target level**. 0 exempts the person from the skill.
3. Enter the **Reason** (required) and, if needed, an **End date (optional)**: after that date, the position's level applies again.
4. Click **Save**. The person is notified.

![The Individual target window opened from an employee's skills profile: Skill, Target level, Reason and optional End date fields, Cancel and Save buttons](https://i0.wp.com/illizeo.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/training-skills-04.en_.png?resize=800%2C500&quality=80&ssl=1)
Skills profile › Set a target.

A target can be changed or removed from the profile's list of individual targets.

## The skills section of the annual review

In the profile, **Annual review section** opens the **Annual review** view for that person. If an annual campaign is active in the Performance module, the section is linked to it; otherwise, the assessments are kept as ongoing assessments.

1. **Reuse levels already assessed** suggests the latest known levels; nothing is saved until you have confirmed each row.
2. Skills where the self-assessment and the manager's view differ are listed first, marked **Disagreement**.
3. On a row, click **Give my view** (or **Change**), choose the level, add a justification if needed, then **Save**.

Each assessment is added to the assessment log, dated and signed; it does not replace earlier ones.

## Planning training from a gap

In the **Gaps & coverage** view, **Plan** is active when at least one catalogue course develops the skill. The button opens **Training requests** with a new pre-filled request, filed in your name, which follows the usual approval process (see [Requesting training and getting it approved](https://illizeo.com/en/centre-aide/training-requests/)).

## Notifications sent

| Event | Recipient |
| --- | --- |
| An individual target is set | The person |
| Someone else assesses one of their skills | The person |
| Their position's required levels change | The position's holders |
| A new gap of 2 levels or more appears on a critical skill | The person's manager |

These notifications are sent by email, in the recipient's language, and appear in Illizeo's notifications.

## What employees see

**Training › For me › My skills** opens **My skill profile**: the levels held for their position, compared with the required level or their individual target, with the source of each assessment (self-assessment, manager, peer, test, certification). **Self-assess** lets them give their level and explain it. Their view is added to their history; the level shown may not change, because the manager's assessment takes precedence.

## Good to know

- A skill that has been used (assessments, positions) cannot be deleted: deactivate it and its history is kept. An axis that contains skills cannot be deleted either.
- Two axes, or two skills, cannot have the same name.
- Importing a workbook that changes required levels requires the "Skills" permission at the Execute level.

## FAQ

### The matrix shows "Framework not configured".

No skill has been declared yet. Click **Define the framework**, or start from the library.

### The Skills matrix menu item does not appear.

It requires the "Skills" permission at the Execute level. At the Access level, a person only sees their own profile.

### The Plan button is greyed out.

No catalogue course states that it develops this skill. Add it to a course's objectives (see [Building and publishing a course in the catalogue](https://illizeo.com/en/centre-aide/training-build-the-catalogue/)).

### *Similaire*