New feature in Training Orbit - proficiency level

We have today incorporated a new feature in Training Orbit. Users can now indicate their proficiency levels against their skills when constructing their tDNA. We have kept the proficiency levels to three levels (Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3). We have defined the levels such that the user can relate to the same irrespective of which skill they choose. This is significant simplicity.

While researching how levels of capabilities are being notified, I found that there is too much of text which are given as indicators for different levels of proficiency. One tends to get lost in the process of reading the text and relating to the actual real life scenario. We have instead tried to define the levels in a manner where any user can relate to them with no difficulty and is practical. This is the way I believe it should be - simple and real. Let us take a real life scenario. Lets take the case of language proficiency. We can create a ten point scale for the proficiency with various kinds of indicators at each level or create a simple level which is practical. When asked whether we know a language. These are the normal responses - "I know little bit", "I can speak with difficulty", "I can speak very well", "I am fluent", "I am an expert", "I write very well".

We have created the three levels from these kind of real life responses to skills -

Level 1 - indicates beginning stage, learning phase, not so fluent, error prone etc.

Level 2 - indicates fluency, flawlessness, something which has become natural to oneself

Level 3 - indicates mastery, expert level, higher levels of depth etc.

We have also consciously stayed away from branding the proficiency level like beginner, expert, master, and so on. In my experience such branding diverts the attention of the user to analysing and judging whether the words are correct. Further, such branding also has an element of value judgment attached to the words which makes an individual uncomfortable. We have thus refrained from using words which individuals can associate their skills in the most simple yet appropriate manner.