Overview
ISO/IEC 20006-1:2014 - "Information technology for learning, education and training - Information model for competency - Part 1: Competency general framework and information model" defines a general framework, system architecture and information model for representing, managing and exchanging competency information in IT for learning, education and training (ITLET) contexts. The standard provides conceptual building blocks, use cases and semantic approaches to express competencies (knowledge, skills, ability, attitudes and educational objectives) so different learning management, HR and related systems can interoperate.
Key topics and technical requirements
- General framework and system architecture for managing and exchanging competency information across ITLET systems.
- Information model for expressing competency and related objects, including an introduction to the composition of competency (see sections on elements and semantic elements).
- Competency semantic information model and architecture (sections cover types such as competency meaning information and competency situation information).
- Competency organization and elements: guidance on structuring competency sets, semantic expressions and relationship patterns.
- Use cases and applicability: practical scenarios used to develop and validate the model (annexes include example mappings and implementations).
- Conformance guidance to promote interoperability and consistent structuring of competency data.
Exclusions and non-addressed areas (explicit): adaptability to culture/language, security, authentication, privacy, accessibility, e‑profiles, evidence information, and assessment methods/metrics.
Practical applications and target users
Who uses ISO/IEC 20006-1:
- Software developers and system architects building LMS, HRIS, competency registries or skills exchange services.
- Instructional designers and assessment/test designers mapping learning outcomes to competencies.
- HR professionals and workforce planners aligning job profiles with learning pathways and national occupational classifications.
- Standards bodies and integrators working on competency interoperability and analytics.
Practical uses:
- Enable interoperability of competency data between learning systems and HR platforms.
- Support competency mapping and aggregation for career pathways, skills gap analysis and workforce planning.
- Provide a common semantic model to improve portability of learning records, credentialing and competency-based reporting.
- Facilitate data-driven analytics across disparate ITLET systems.
Related standards
- ISO/IEC TR 24763 - Conceptual Reference Model for Competency Information and Related Objects (CRM) - foundational relationship.
- ISO/IEC 20006-2 - Proficiency level information model (companion part).
- ISO/IEC 20006-3 (TS) - Guidelines for aggregation of competency information and data.
Keywords: ISO/IEC 20006-1:2014, competency information, information model for competency, ITLET, interoperability, learning management, HR systems, competency framework, proficiency levels, competency aggregation.