SHRM Bock Final

The SHRM Body
of Competency
and Knowledge
This document describes the SHRM Body of Competency and Knowledge

(SHRM BoCK) which forms the basis for the SHRM Certified Professional
(SHRM-CP ) and SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP ) certifications.
SM
SM
THE SHRM BODY OF COMPETENCY AND KNOWLEDGE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction to the SHRM Body of Competency and Knowledge.................................................................. 1

Figure 1: The SHRM Body of Competency and Knowledge............................................................2

Development of the SHRM BoCK.............................................................................................................3
Figure 2: SHRM Competency Model Development...................................................................................... 3
Figure 3: Knowledge Specification Process.................................................................................................... 3

What Are Competencies?...........................................................................................................................4
Figure 4: Competency Definitions...................................................................................................................... 4

Organization of the SHRM BoCK Document............................................................................................5
Section 1: Behavioral Competencies.................................................................................................................6

Behavioral Competency #1: Leadership & Navigation................................................................................7

Behavioral Competency #2: Ethical Practice...............................................................................................8

Behavioral Competency #3: Business Acumen............................................................................................9

Behavioral Competency #4: Relationship Management.............................................................................11

Behavioral Competency #5: Consultation.................................................................................................12

Behavioral Competency #6: Critical Evaluation........................................................................................13

Behavioral Competency #7: Global & Cultural Effectiveness....................................................................14

Behavioral Competency #8: Communication............................................................................................15
Section 2: HR Expertise (HR Knowledge)........................................................................................................16

What Are HR Functional Areas of Knowledge?.........................................................................................16
Figure 5: Knowledge Domains and HR Functional Areas.......................................................................... 17

DOMAIN 1: People................................................................................................................................18

Functional Area #1: Talent Acquisition & Retention.....................................................................18

Functional Area #2: Employee Engagement.................................................................................19

Functional Area #3: Learning & Development..............................................................................21

Functional Area #4: Total Rewards...............................................................................................22

DOMAIN 2: Organization.......................................................................................................................23

Functional Area #5: Structure of the HR Function.......................................................................23

Functional Area #6: Organizational Effectiveness & Development................................................24

Functional Area #7: Workforce Management................................................................................25

Functional Area #8: Employee Relations.......................................................................................26

Functional Area #9: Technology & Data.......................................................................................28

DOMAIN 3: Workplace...........................................................................................................................29

Functional Area #10: HR in the Global Context...........................................................................29

Functional Area #11: Diversity & Inclusion ................................................................................ 30

Functional Area #12: Risk Management.......................................................................................31

Functional Area #13: Corporate Social Responsibility...................................................................33

Functional Area #14: U.S. Employment Law & Regulations.........................................................35

DOMAIN 4: Strategy..............................................................................................................................37

Functional Area #15: Business & HR Strategy..............................................................................37
Section 3: Exam Overview................................................................................................................................39
Figure 6: Score Weighting for Each Domain in the Certification Exams............................................... 39
References..........................................................................................................................................................40
Additional Resources ....................................................................................................................................... 41
Introduction to the SHRM Body of

Competency and Knowledge
For more than sixty-five years, the Society for Human

Resource Management (SHRM) has served the human
resource profession. HR professionals worldwide look
to SHRM for comprehensive resources to help them
function effectively at their jobs, develop their careers,
and partner strategically with employers.
SHRM also works to advance the HR profession
as a whole, ensuring that as business evolves, HR
evolves to meet business needs. Increasingly, business
understands that effective people management is a
strategic imperative. As a result, employers expect
that HR professionals will demonstrate, in addition
to a thorough knowledge of HR concepts and
requirements, the behavioral competencies required
to effectively apply that knowledge in the modern
workplace in support of organizational goals.
In 2011, SHRM began years of extensive research
involving thousands of HR professionals to develop the
SHRM Competency Model, which identifies eight key
Behavioral Competencies: Ethical Practice, Leadership
& Navigation, Business Acumen, Relationship
Management, Communication, Consultation, Critical
Evaluation, and Global & Cultural Effectiveness
and one Technical Competency: HR Expertise (HR
Knowledge) that are the foundation of successful HR
practice. The SHRM Competency Model provides
HR professionals with a comprehensive roadmap for
developing the capabilities they need to advance their
careers and improve their effectiveness in the workplace.
and for employers, to provide reliable indicators of

proficiency in these critical dual aspects of modern HR
practice.
SHRM regards the SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP as
the new standard in certification for the HR profession.
By incorporating key HR competencies into the
SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP, SHRM is enhancing
the relevance of the new certifications. SHRMs
new credentials demonstrate to the global business
community that the credential holder has strong
capabilities in both aspects of HR practice
competency and knowledgethat are required for
effective job performance.
The SHRM Body of Competency and Knowledge
(SHRM BoCK), summarized in Figure 1, also draws
heavily on the SHRM Competency Model. The SHRM
BoCK documents the HR Behavioral Competencies
and Knowledge Domains tested on the SHRM-CP
and SHRM-SCP certification exams. The SHRM
BoCK is also the common framework for item writers
developing questions and individuals developing
exam preparation materials. SHRM operates exam
development and study material development as
separate, independent functions, and observes a strict
firewall between these activities to protect the integrity
and credibility of the certification exams.
The SHRM Competency Model is fundamental

to SHRMs two new certifications, the SHRM
Certified Professional (SHRM-CPSM) for early-career
practitioners, and the SHRM Senior Certified
Professional (SHRM-SCPSM) for senior-level
practitioners. SHRM is launching these new credentials
to further two goals: for HR professionals, to reaffirm
the importance of acquiring both the competencies and
knowledge essential for successful job performance;
INTRODUCTION TO THE SHRM BODY OF COMPETENCY AND KNOWLEDGE
FIGURE 1: SHRM BODY OF COMPETENCY & KNOWLEDGE (SHRM BoCK)
SHRM Body of Competency

TM
& Knowledge
Behavioral Competencies
Technical Competency
Leadership &
Navigation
Business
Acumen
Ethical
Practice
Relationship
Management
Effective
Individual
Performance
Consultation
Critical
Evaluation
Global
& Cultural
Effectiveness
Communication
HR Expertise (HR Knowledge Domains)
People
Talent Acquisition
& Retention
Employee
Engagement
Learning
& Development
Total Rewards
Workplace
Organization
Structure of the
HR Function
Org. Effectiveness
& Development
Workforce
Management
Employee Relations
Technology & Data
Strategy
Business
HR in the
& HR Strategy
Global Context
Diversity & Inclusion
Risk Management
Corporate Social
Responsibility
Employment Law
& Regulations*
*Applicable only to examinees testing within the U.S.
Successful
Business
Outcomes
HR
Functional
Areas
Development of the SHRM BoCK

The SHRM Competency Model, which provides
the framework for the SHRM BoCK, was developed
using rigorous job analysis methods with the active
engagement of the global HR community (see
Figure 2). SHRM conducted 111 focus groups
involving 1,200 HR practitioners to identify nine
critical competencies necessary for success as an HR
professional. Focus group participants included HR
professionals from 33 countries, representing a diversity
of both personal (e.g., career level, tenure) and
organizational (e.g., sector, industry, size) attributes.
First, SHRM performed an extensive review of the

existing literature on HR knowledge, including
textbooks, curricula, syllabi, and other educator
resources, to determine the universe of potential
knowledge areas needed by HR professionals. SHRM
also consulted SHRM academic and employer surveys
regarding the basic functional knowledge needed for
participation in the human resources field. SHRM drew
on this research to create a preliminary knowledge
framework for the SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP
certifications.
SHRM then confirmed the importance, relevance, and

universality of the SHRM Competency Model through
a content validation survey, which drew responses
from more than 32,000 HR professionals worldwide.
Finally, a series of large-scale multi-organizational
criterion validation studies, involving a highly diverse
sample of more than 1,500 HR professionals and
their supervisors, established that proficiency in
these competencies is closely linked to successful job
performance.
SHRM then established a BoCK Advisory Panel

to validate this framework. This panel included 19
HR and business leaders from various industries
including retail, research, consulting, health care, and
manufacturing. The panel reviewed the proposed
framework for HR technical knowledge for accuracy
and comprehensiveness; defined key responsibility
statements and knowledge topic areas associated with
each Knowledge Domain and Functional Area; and
developed importance rankings and weights for each
Knowledge Domain. After completing these tasks,
a panel sub-group further refined the framework
by incorporating additional Panel feedback. Upon
completion, SHRM adopted the framework as the basis
for the knowledge component of the SHRM BoCK.
SHRM conducted a three-part knowledge specification

exercise to develop the SHRM BoCK component
identifying the key areas of HR functional knowledge
or HR Expertise (HR Knowledge), the single technical
Competency in the SHRM Competency Model (see
Figure 3).
FIGURE 2: DEVELOPMENT OF THE SHRM COMPETENCY MODEL

MODEL DEVELOPMENT
CONTENT VALIDATION
CRITERION VALIDATION
111 focus groups
32,000 HR professionals
1,500 HR professionals and

their supervisors
1,200 HR professionals
FIGURE 3: KNOWLEDGE SPECIFICATION PROCESS

REVIEW OF EXISTING
LITERATURE
REFINE LIST OF
KNOWLEDGE AREAS
TECHNICAL REVIEW
Textbooks, curricula, syllabi,

other resources
BoCK Advisory Panel
BoCK Advisory Panel
What Are Competencies?

A competency is a cluster of highly interrelated
attributes, including knowledge, skills, and abilities
(KSAs) that give rise to the behaviors needed to
perform a given job effectively. For example, Critical
Evaluation, one of the Behavioral Competencies in the
SHRM Competency Model, requires an employee to
have research design knowledge, critical thinking skills,
and deductive reasoning abilities; those KSAs enable
the employee to behave in such a way as to perform a
job involving critical evaluation.
Competencies can be either technical or behavioral.
Technical competencies reflect the knowledge required
to perform a specific role. Behavioral Competencies
describe the KSAs that facilitate the application of
technical knowledge to job-related behavior. In other

words, technical competencies reflect what knowledge
HR professionals apply to their jobs, and Behavioral
Competencies reflect how they apply this knowledge.
A competency model is a set of competencies that
collectively defines the requirements for effective
performance in a specific job, profession, or
organization. There are eight Behavioral Competencies
and one Technical Competency, HR Expertise (HR
Knowledge) in the SHRM Competency Model, which
forms the foundation of the SHRM BoCK. Figure 4
provides an overview of these nine Competencies.
FIGURE 4: COMPETENCY DEFINITIONS
COMPETENCY
DEFINITION
Leadership & Navigation
The ability to direct and contribute to initiatives and processes within the organization.
Ethical Practice
The ability to integrate core values, integrity, and accountability throughout all
organizational and business practices.
Business Acumen
The ability to understand and apply information with which to contribute to the
organizations strategic plan.
Relationship Management
The ability to manage interactions to provide service and to support the organization.
Consultation
The ability to provide guidance to organizational stakeholders.
Critical Evaluation
The ability to interpret information with which to make business decisions and
recommendations.
Global & Cultural Effectiveness
The ability to value and consider the perspectives and backgrounds of all parties.
Communication
The ability to effectively exchange information with stakeholders.
HR Expertise (HR Knowledge)
The knowledge of principles, practices, and functions of effective human resource

management.
Organization of the SHRM BoCK Document

The HR competencies and knowledge that will be
assessed on the SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP exams are
detailed in the SHRM BoCK, which consists of the
following three sections:
Section 1 Behavioral Competencies:
This section describes how HR professionals utilize
the eight Behavioral Competencies to perform
effectively in the workplace. Each Competency
includes a definition; a broad summary of the primary
actions associated with that Competency; and key
behaviors indicative of proficiency in that Competency.
The section identifies behaviors relevant to all HR
professionals, and those relevant only to advanced HR
professionals.
proficient; nonetheless, advanced HR professionals

should understand the concepts behind these tasks and
their strategic importance. (For example, an advanced
HR professional may not be required to perform the
key behavior/transactional task of daily consultation
with a hiring manager; nevertheless, an advanced HR
professional should be able to ensure that such a key
behavior aligns with the strategic direction of the
organization, and to mentor and develop this behavior
in a junior employee.)
Please note that some of the key behaviors relevant to

all HR professionals reflect transactional tasks in which
advanced HR professionals may not be specifically
Section 2 HR Expertise (HR Knowledge):
This section covers the single technical Competency of
HR Expertise (HR Knowledge). Several introductory
paragraphs explain how this Competency is organized
into four broad Knowledge Domains (covering People,
Organization, Workplace, and Strategy), divided
among 15 HR Functional Areas. A subsection on
each Functional Area follows, and includes: (1) a
Definition summarizing the key concepts associated

with the Area; (2) Responsibility Statements relevant
to all HR professionals, and those relevant only to
advanced HR professionals; (3) pertinent illustrative
Sample Applications of Competencies; and (4) key
Knowledge Topics in the Area.
Section 3 Exam Overview:

This section outlines the SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP
exams, including the number of questions on each
test, and score weightings assigned to each of the
Competencies and Knowledge Domains.
Section 1: Behavioral
Competencies
This section of the SHRM BoCK identifies and details the eight Behavioral Competencies that will be tested on
the SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP exams. Behavioral Competencies describe the KSAs that facilitate the application
of technical knowledge to effective job-related behavior. SHRMs research indicates that HR professionals who
exhibit advanced levels of proficiency in these Behavioral Competencies are likely to be effective in the workplace.
SECTION 1: BEHAVIORAL COMPETENCIES
Behavioral Competency #1: Leadership & Navigation

Definition: Leadership & Navigation is defined as the ability to direct and contribute to initiatives and
processes within the organization.
Effective leadership is associated with numerous
positive employee outcomes (Barling, Christie, &
Hoption, 2011), in such areas as work attitudes (job
satisfaction, organizational commitment) (Burke,
Sims, Lazzara, & Salas, 2007; Judge & Piccolo, 2004),
decreased turnover, and increased job performance
(Barling et al., 2011). HR professionals at every level
can demonstrate proficiency as leaders and navigators.
Early-career professionals can behave in ways consistent
with organizational culture and foster collaboration
with coworkers. Mid- and senior-level HR professionals
can develop strategies to implement HR initiatives and
support others initiatives. Executives can establish a
vision for HR initiatives, work to obtain buy-in from
relevant stakeholders, serve as transformational leaders
to implement change, and lead the organization in the
face of adversity. In sum, the Leadership & Navigation
Competency recognizes an important role for HR
professionals by describing needed attributes.
Promoting consensus among organizational

stakeholders (e.g., business unit leaders, employees,
informal leaders) when proposing new initiatives.
Serving as a transformational leader for the

organization by implementing change.
Key behaviors indicative of proficiency in Leadership

& Navigation for all HR professionals include:
Key behaviors indicative of proficiency in Leadership

& Navigation for advanced HR professionals include:

Leading HR staff in maintaining or changing

organizational culture.
Working with other executives to design, maintain,

and champion the mission, vision, and strategy of
the organization.
Identifying the need for and facilitating strategic

organizational change.
Developing the organizational strategy for

achieving the human capital vision and mission.
Ensuring alignment between the human capital

vision, mission, and organizational business strategy.
Serving as the influential voice for HR strategies,

philosophies, and initiatives within the organization.
Exhibiting behaviors consistent with and

conforming to organizational culture.
Managing risk, opportunities, and gaps in business

strategy.
Fostering collaboration among stakeholders and

team members.
Overseeing critical large-scale organizational

changes with the support of business leaders.
Understanding the most effective and efficient

ways to accomplish tasks within the parameters of
organizational hierarchy, processes, systems, and
policies.
Ensuring appropriate accountability for the

implementation of plans and change initiatives.
Setting tone for maintaining or changing

Developing solutions to overcome potential

obstacles to successful implementation of initiatives.
Championing the HR function and organizational

mission and vision.
Demonstrating agility and expertise in leading

organizational initiatives or supporting the
initiatives of others.
Building buy-in for organizational change with

agility across senior leadership.
Setting the vision for HR initiatives and building

buy-in from internal and external stakeholders.
Leading the organization through adversity with

resilience and tenacity.
Behavioral Competency #2: Ethical Practice

Definition: Ethical Practice is defined as the ability to integrate core values, integrity, and accountability
throughout all organizational and business practices.
As it is for all employees, it is important that HR
professionals to be ethical by considering the core
values of their organization and acting with integrity.
Beyond adhering to rigorous ethical standards
themselves, HR professionals are often tasked
with creating ethical HR systems or reinforcing an
organizations ethical climate. These efforts serve
several purposes. Most notably, implementing a strong
ethical climate can help protect an organization from
adverse employee behavior. Ethical HR systems are
essential to organizations because they are associated
with higher levels of organizational performance (Lado
& Wilson, 1994).
Key behaviors indicative of proficiency in Ethical
Practice for all HR professionals include:
Key behaviors indicative of proficiency in Ethical

Practice for advanced HR professionals include:

Empowering senior leaders to maintain internal

controls and create an ethical environment to
prevent conflicts of interest.
Maintaining contemporary knowledge of ethics,

laws, standards, legislation, and emerging trends
that may affect organizational HR practice.
Establishing oneself as a credible and trustworthy

resource to whom employees may voice concerns.
Challenging other executives and senior leaders

when potential conflicts of interest arise.
Withstanding politically motivated pressure when

developing strategy.
Setting the standard as a role model of ethical

behavior by consistently conforming to the highest
ethical standards and practices.
Maintaining confidentiality.
Acting with personal, professional, and behavioral

integrity.
Balancing organizational success and employee

advocacy when creating strategy.
Responding immediately to all reports of unethical

behavior or conflicts of interest.
Empowering all employees to report unethical

behavior or conflicts of interest without fear of
reprisal.
Developing HR policies and internal controls

to minimize organizational risk from unethical
practice.
Creating HR strategy that holds employees

accountable for their actions.
Showing consistency between espoused and

enacted values.
Making difficult decisions that align with

organizational strategies and values.
Acknowledging mistakes.
Driving the corporate ethical environment.
Communicating the vision for an organizational

culture in which espoused and enacted values align.
Applying power or authority appropriately.
Recognizing ones personal bias and the tendencies

of others toward bias, and taking measures to
mitigate the influence of bias in business decisions.
Maintaining a culture that requires all employees to

report unethical practices and behavior.
Aligning all HR practices with ethics, laws, and

standards.
Maintaining appropriate levels of transparency in

organizational practices.
Ensuring that all stakeholder voices are heard.
Managing political and social pressures when

making decisions.
Behavioral Competency #3: Business Acumen

Definition: Business Acumen is defined as the ability to understand and apply information with which to
contribute to the organizations strategic plan.
HR professionals often serve in a consultative role
for other organizational members and business units,
developing and carrying out HRM practices that support
and are aligned with business strategies and goals. In
other words, successful HR professionals develop HR
systems that positively contribute to organizational
success (Becker & Huselid, 2006).To do this effectively,
HR professionals need a well-developed proficiency in
Business Acumen. This includes understanding business
operations and core functions, how HRM practices
contribute to them, and the organizations external
environment. It also means recognizing how internal
and external factors interact to influence organizational
performance (e.g., the external competitive environment,
internal personnel resources). Last, it requires being
able to make the case for HR management to other
business professionalsthat is, marketing HR within the
organization, showing how it can have a direct impact
on organizational performance.
Key behaviors indicative of proficiency in Business
Acumen for all HR professionals include:

Using organizational metrics to make decisions.
Leveraging technology to solve business problems.
Key behaviors indicative of proficiency in Business

Acumen for advanced HR professionals include:

Ensuring that the ROIs for all HR initiatives add to

organizational value.
Assessing risks/SWOT (strengths, weaknesses,

opportunities, and threats) of business initiatives
as they pertain to human capital, ROI, and
shareholder accountability.
Aligning HR strategy, goals, and objectives to

overall business strategy and objectives.
Demonstrating fluency in the language of business

administration as used by senior leaders.
Developing solutions with analysis of impact on

ROI, utility, revenue, profit and loss estimates, and
other business indicators.
Examining all organizational problems in terms of

integrating HR solutions to maximize ROI, profit,
revenue, and strategic effectiveness.
Understanding the strategic relationship between

effective HRM and core business functions.
Evaluating all proposed business cases for HR

projects and initiatives.
Being capable of understanding the business

operations and functions within the organization.
Benchmarking the competition and other relevant

comparison groups.
Using organizational resources to learn the business

and operational functions.
Communicating direction on local and global labor

market and their relation to organizational success.
Understanding the industry and the business/

competitive environment within which the
organization operates.
Maintaining expert knowledge of business lines

and products/services, as well as the competitive
market.
Making the business case for HR management

in terms of efficient and effective organizational
functioning.
Developing HR business strategies to drive key

business results.
Marketing HR both internally (e.g., return-oninvestment/ROI for HR initiatives) and externally

(e.g., employment branding).
Maintaining expert knowledge of economic factors

and the impact of the economic environment on
industry and organization operations.
Evaluating critical activities in terms of value added,

impact, and utility derived from a cost-benefit analysis.
Understanding organizational metrics and their

correlation to business success.
Maintaining expert knowledge of key industry

and organization metrics that is, knowing the
business.
Setting HR and business technology strategy to

solve business problems and needs.
Serving as a strategic contributor to organizational

decision-making regarding fiscal, product/service
lines, operations, human capital, and technological
areas.
Influencing government policy and proposed

regulations.
Developing business strategy with top leaders of

the organization.
Defining strategy for managing talent within the

confines of the labor market.
10
Behavioral Competency #4: Relationship Management

Definition: Relationship Management is defined as the ability to manage interactions to provide service and to
support the organization.
Because HR professionals regularly interact with
clients and stakeholders, job success is a function of
an HR professionals abilities to maintain productive
interpersonal relationships and to help others do
the sameto display competency in managing
relationships. Research has documented positive
outcomes associated with productive and healthy
interpersonal relationships in the work environment
(Reich & Hershcovis, 2011). Positive formal
relationships (e.g., between employee and supervisor) are
associated with such beneficial outcomes for employees
as improved feelings of belonging and inclusion in
the workplace (Alvesson & Sveningsson, 2003), more
salary, increased promotions, greater career mobility,
and other rewards (Allen, Eby, Poteet, Lentz, & Lima
2004). Positive informal relationships are associated
with greater job satisfaction, involvement, performance,
team cohesion, and organizational commitment, positive
work atmosphere, and lessened turnover intentions
(Berman, West, & Richter, 2002).
Employees who have better interpersonal relationships
with coworkers and supervisors also may perceive the
organization as more supportive (Wallace, Edwards,
Arnold, Frazier, & Finch, 2009), may be more
committed to the organization, and may experience
increased perceptions of fitting in with the organization
(Kristof-Brown, Zimmerman, & Johnson, 2005).
In sum, healthy interpersonal relationships at an
organization contribute positively to both employee
and organizational success.
Key behaviors indicative of proficiency in Relationship
Management for all HR professionals include:

Establishing credibility in all interactions.
Treating all stakeholders with respect and dignity.
Building engaging relationships with all

organizational stakeholders through trust,
teamwork, and direct communication.
Demonstrating approachability and openness.
Ensuring alignment with HR strategy for delivering

services and information to the organization.
Providing customer service to organizational

stakeholders.
Promoting successful relationships with stakeholders.
Managing internal and external relationships in

ways that promote the best interests of all parties.
Championing the view that organizational

effectiveness benefits all stakeholders.
Serving as an advocate when appropriate.
Fostering effective teambuilding among stakeholders.
Demonstrating the ability to effectively build a

network of contacts at all levels within HR and the
community, internally and externally.
Key behaviors indicative of proficiency in Relationship

Management for advanced HR professionals include:

Designing strategies for improving performance

metrics for relationship management.
Networking with and influencing legislative bodies,

union heads, and external HR leaders.
Championing organizational customer service

strategies and models.
Negotiating with internal and external stakeholders

to advance the interests of the organization.
Designing strategies to ensure a strong customer

service culture in the HR function.
Creating conflict resolution strategies and processes

throughout the organization.
Overseeing HR decision-making processes to

ensure consistency with HR and business strategy.
Developing strategic relationships with internal and

external stakeholders.
Fostering a culture that supports intraorganizational relationships (e.g., silo-busting).
Designing strategic opportunities and venues for

building employee networks and relationships.
Proactively developing relationships with peers,

clients, suppliers, board members, and senior
leaders.
11
Behavioral Competency #5: Consultation

Definition: Consultation is defined as the ability to provide guidance to organizational stakeholders.
HR professionals often act as internal consultants
or experts on human capital issues within their
organizations. In this role, HR professionals can
help business units address such challenging issues
as staffing, training and development, employee
performance, and employee relations (Combs, Liu,
Hall, & Ketchen, 2006). To be a successful human
capital expert, HR professionals must possess requisite
knowledge about HRM practices and have the ability
to guide internal stakeholders. The most effective
HR professionals use a process of engagement and
interaction to translate complicated information
into actionable recommendations for end users.
HR professionals must be able to analyze business
challenges, generate creative solutions, and provide
accurate, timely guidance based on best practices and
research that account for the organizations unique
internal and external environments.
Key behaviors indicative of proficiency in Consultation
for all HR professionals include:

Applying creative problem-solving to address

business needs and issues.
Serving as an in-house expert on workforce and

people management.
Analyzing specific business challenges involving

the workforce and offering solutions based on best
practices or research.
Generating specific organizational interventions (e.g.,

change management, culture change, restructuring,
training) to support organizational objectives.
Developing consultative and coaching skills.
Guiding employees as to specific career situations.
12
Key behaviors indicative of proficiency in Consultation

for advanced HR professionals include:

Creating talent management strategies by utilizing

innovative business solutions that align with and
drive business strategy.
Listening to business leaders challenges.
Developing visions for critical solutions to

organizational human capital challenges.
Identifying opportunities to provide HR and

business solutions that maximize ROI for the
organization.
Using appropriate analytical tools enabling other

leaders to provide input on strategic decisions.
Identifying creative solutions for the organization

and its business units.
Supervising HR investigations together with legal

counsel.
Recognizing excessive HR liabilities and providing

proactive strategic guidance for remediation.
Coaching executives on people-management issues
Designing strategic HR and business solutions.
Behavioral Competency #6: Critical Evaluation

Definition: Critical Evaluation is defined as the ability to interpret information with which to make business
decisions and recommendations.
HR can enhance the effectiveness and usefulness of
human capital programs by using appropriate data to
inform their development and monitor their success.
One example of this data is human capital metrics,
which quantify such items as the time to fill a position
and the cost per hire. HR functions that collect and
properly utilize HR metrics to inform HR activity not
only add value to the role of HR in organizations, they
are seen as more reliable strategic partners (Lawler,
Levenson, & Boudreau, 2004). The rise of data-based
HRM practices (such as the increasingly frequent use of
big data by HR departments) is clearly evident. HR
professionals are currently being asked to inform their
decisions with data, and this trend is likely to continue
and expand in the coming years.
Key behaviors indicative of proficiency in Critical
Evaluation for all HR professionals include:

Making sound decisions based on evaluation of

available information.
Key behaviors indicative of proficiency in Critical

Evaluation for advanced HR professionals include:

Maintaining expert knowledge in the use of data,

evidence-based research, benchmarks, and HR and
business metrics to make critical decisions.
Maintaining expert knowledge and ability to

interpret data and make recommendations.
Making decisions with confidence based on analysis

of available information to drive business success.
Setting the direction of HR and the organization

through evaluation of risks and economic and
environmental factors.
Seeking information in a strategic, systematic

manner for use in decision-making.
Analyzing information necessary for evaluating

and using data and additional information to make
effective decisions.
Sponsoring initiatives for process improvement

using evidence-based solutions.
Communicating the impact on organizational

strategy of relevant and important findings from
data analysis.
Assessing the impact on organizational HRM

functions of changes in the law.
Transferring knowledge and best practices from

one situation to the next.
Applying findings to build effective and creative

polices within an organizational context.
Applying critical thinking to information received

from organizational stakeholders, and evaluating
what can be used for organizational success.
Utilizing ones awareness and experience of

external/environmental factors in decision-making.
Challenging assumptions and critically examining

all initiatives and programs.
Providing a strategic view to direct and prioritize

decision-making.
Gathering critical information.
Analyzing data with a keen sense for what is useful.
Analyzing information to identify evidence-based

best practices.
Delineating a clear set of best practices based on

experience, evidence from industry literature,
published peer-reviewed research, publicly available
web-based information, and other sources.
Identifying leading indicators of outcomes.
Analyzing large quantities of information from

research and practice.
13
Behavioral Competency #7: Global & Cultural Effectiveness

Definition: Global & Cultural Effectiveness is defined as the ability to value and to consider the perspectives
and backgrounds of all parties in global business.
Diversity within a team or organization can facilitate
success by fostering creativity, promoting healthy
working relationships, and equipping the organization
with an opportunity to connect with a wider audience
(Jayne & Dipboye, 2004). In light of the proactive
attempts of many organizations to increase the diversity
of their own workforces in the conext of todays
increasingly global workforce, HR professionals
must be able to effectively and respectfully interact
with colleagues, customers, and clients of varying
backgrounds and cultures.
Key behaviors indicative of proficiency in Global &
Cultural Effectiveness for all HR professionals include:

Having a strong set of core values while adapting to

particular conditions, situations, and people.
Maintaining openness to others ideas and making

decisions based on experience, data, facts, and
reasoned judgment.
Operating with a fundamental trust in other human

beings.
Taking the responsibility to ensure inclusion by

teaching others about the differences and benefits
that multiple cultures bring to the organization.
Incorporating global business and economic trends

into business decisions.
Key behaviors indicative of proficiency in Global &

Cultural Effectiveness for advanced HR professionals
include:

Setting the strategy to leverage global competencies

for competitive HR advantages.
Using a global economic outlook to determine

impacts on the organizations human capital
strategy.
Maintaining expert global and cultural knowledge/

experience.
Maintaining expert knowledge of global economic

trends.
Demonstrating nonjudgmental respect for others

perspectives.
Working effectively with diverse cultures and

populations.
Understanding global labor markets and associated

legal environments.
Fostering the organizations cultural norms.
Conducting business with understanding and

respect for the differences in rules, customs, laws,
regulations, and business operations between ones
own culture and all cultures.
Proving the ROI of a diverse workforce.
Appreciating the commonalities, values, and

individual uniqueness of all human beings.
Managing contradictory or paradoxical practices,

policies, and cultural norms to ensure cross-cultural
harmony and organizational success.
Possessing self-awareness and humility, to learn

from others.
Integrating perspectives on cultural differences and

their impact on the success of the organization.
Embracing inclusion.
Setting the vision that defines the strategic

connection between employee diversity and
inclusiveness practices and organizational success.
Adapting ones perspectives and behaviors to meet

the cultural context.
Building cross-cultural relationships and

partnerships.
Navigating the differences between commonly

accepted practices and laws when conducting
business in other nations.
Operating with a global, open mindset while being

sensitive to local cultural issues and needs.
14
Behavioral Competency #8: Communication

Definition: Communication is defined as the ability to effectively exchange information with stakeholders.
Effective communication is one of the building blocks
of personal and career success (Showry & Manasa,
2012). This is particularly true for HR professionals.
HR professionals at junior career levels may need to
field employee grievances, conduct investigations,
and intervene to resolve employee interpersonal
challenges. Senior-level HR professionals are often
required to interact with a variety of stakeholdersto
develop, interpret, and distribute policy and initiative
information to employees, and to collaborate with other
organizational units in addressing business challenges
from a human capital perspective. Especially at senior
and executive career levels, effective communication
is essential for describing the leaders vision, the
organizations mission, new initiatives, goal-setting, and
progress. When HR information is communicated well,
employees better understand the purpose and value of
policies and practices. For example, employees whose
managers effectively communicate HR practices and
policies to them perceive the organizations HRM to be
more effective, which in turn positively affects employee
satisfaction and business unit performance (Den Hartog,
Boon, Verburg, & Croon, 2013).
Key behaviors indicative of proficiency in
Communication for all HR professionals include:

Providing clear, concise information to others in

verbal, written, electronic, and other communication
formats for public and organizational consumption.
Listening actively and empathetically to the views

of others.
Delivering critical information to all stakeholders.
Seeking further information to clarify ambiguity.
Providing constructive feedback effectively, treating

it as a developmental opportunity.
Communicating proactively.
Ensuring effective communication throughout the

organization.
Providing proactive communications.
Demonstrating an understanding of the audiences

perspective.
Welcoming the opportunity to discuss competing

points of view.
Helping others consider new perspectives.
Leading meetings effectively and efficiently.
Helping managers communicate on issues other

than HR.
Key behaviors indicative of proficiency in

Communication for advanced HR professionals include:

Articulating the alignment between organizational

HR initiatives and organizational strategy.
Communicating the corporate mission and vision

to other stakeholders.
Creating strategy to develop a culture that fosters

efficient and effective interactions and decisionmaking.
Crafting messages to be delivered to stakeholders

on high-visibility organizational issues.
Negotiating with stakeholders to reach the best

possible outcomes.
Soliciting feedback and buy-in from executive-level

stakeholders.
Developing strategy for organizational

communication systems.
Delivering strategic messages supporting HR and

business.
Building support through clear communications.
Communicating HR vision, practices, and policies

to other stakeholders.
Comfortably communicating with audiences of all sizes.
15
SECTION 2: HR Expertise
(HR Knowledge)
Todays employers require HR professionals to
demonstrate competency in HR behaviors, as outlined
in Section 1, as well as knowledge of HR topics, which
are outlined here in Section 2. The need for practical
as well as technical expertise is a business reality for the
modern practice of HR that is reflected in the SHRM
BoCK by the Technical Competency HR Expertise
(HR Knowledge). As with the eight Behavioral
competencies in the SHRM Competency Model, this

Competency was developed and validated through
extensive research with HR professionals. This section
is focused on describing the Knowledge Domains and
HR Functional Areas that comprise the HR Expertise
(HR Knowledge) Competency.
What Are HR Functional Areas of Knowledge?

In the SHRM BoCK, HR Expertise (HR Knowledge)
has been grouped by common themes into four broad
Knowledge Domains: People, Organization, Workplace,
and Strategy. These four Domains are associated with
HR Functional Areas of knowledge: the knowledge
required to perform a specific HR activity (e.g., Talent
Acquisition & Retention, Employee Relations).
of experience). While the latter responsibilities

are generally more strategic in nature, advanced
HR professionals should be familiar, at a strategic
level, with the concepts related to all responsibility
statements.

Sample Application of Competencies: Examples

of the behavioral and technical KSAs that are
relevant to the Functional Area, and are closely
associated with professionals who demonstrate
proficiency in that Area. All Competencies are
relevant to each Functional Area. While every
Functional Area requires the Technical Competency
of HR Expertise (HR Knowledge), effective
practice also requires the application of Behavioral
Competencies. The same Competency may be
required in multiple HR Functional Areas, but will
manifest itself differently in each Area through the
distinctive application of KSAs.
Knowledge Topics: The information required to

perform the responsibilities in the Functional Area.
The same topic may appear in multiple Areas. (For
example, the knowledge topic metrics is listed
in almost every Functional Area.) More specific
topics are relevant only to certain Areas. (For
example, expertise in the Behavioral Competency
of Communication covers knowledge topics as
diverse as coaching and counseling, listed in
the Employee Engagement Functional Area, and
social media usage, listed in the Corporate Social
Responsibility Functional Area.)
There are 15 HR Functional Areas of knowledge

what HR professionals need to know to perform their
job responsibilities. (see Figure 5.) The HR Functional
Area of Business & HR Strategy forms its own
Knowledge Domain of Strategy; the remaining 14 HR
Functional Areas form the remaining three Knowledge
Domains of People, Organization, and Workplace.
This part of the SHRM BoCK outlines the specific
content of each Functional Area listed above. Each
subsection contains a four-part description of the
Functional Area under discussion (all of which will be
tested on the certification exam):

Definition: The types of activities associated with

the Functional Area, and how they add value to the
organization.
Responsibility Statements: The specific actions

indicative of proficiency in that Functional Area.
This includes responsibilities applicable to all HR
professionals, and responsibilities applicable only
to advanced HR professionals (six or more years
16
SECTION 2: HR EXPERTISE (HR KNOWLEDGE)
FIGURE 5: KNOWLEDGE DOMAINS AND HR FUNCTIONAL AREAS

PEOPLE
WORKPLACE
Talent Acquisition & Retention

Employee Engagement
Learning & Development
Total Rewards
HR in the Global Context

Diversity & Inclusion
Risk Management
Corporate Social Responsibility
U.S. Employment Law & Regulations
(applicable only to examinees testing within the U.S.)
ORGANIZATION
STRATEGY
Structure of the HR Function

Organizational Effectiveness & Development
Workforce Management
Employee Relations
Technology & Data
Business & HR Strategy
17
DOMAIN 1: People
Functional Area #1: Talent Acquisition & Retention
Definition: Talent Acquisition & Retention encompasses the activities involved in building and maintaining a
workforce. HR demonstrates value by developing, implementing, and measuring the individual and organizational
success of activities and programs for sourcing, recruiting, hiring, onboarding, orientation, and retention.
Responsibility Statements:
Key responsibilities for all HR professionals include:

Identifying and selecting appropriate interview

and selection techniques that best demonstrate a
candidates technical skills, organizational fit, and
competency alignment.
Seeking and utilizing a wide variety of talent

sources to recruit, screen, and evaluate applicants.
Implementing and utilizing technology to support

effective and efficient approaches to sourcing,
recruitment, evaluation, and selection.
Conducting effective background investigations.
Understanding sponsorship and visa requirements

for foreign nationals.
Key responsibilities for advanced HR professionals

include:

Developing strategies for acquiring and retaining

a high-performing workforce, using internal and
external resources.
Analyzing staffing levels to make decisions as to

workforce allocation.
Assessing workforce readiness against organizational

needs.
Designing job descriptions to meet organizational

resource needs and to attract qualified candidates.
Establishing an employer value proposition and

employment brand that supports organizational
success.
Designing and implementing strategies for sourcing,

recruiting, candidate evaluation, and retention.
Sample Application of Competencies:

Business AcumenThe ability to understand the

organizations strategy and translate it into a robust
plan that attracts and retains high-performing
individuals.
Critical EvaluationThe ability to interpret

staffing plans, market data and other external PEST
(political, economic, social, and technological)
data, and make sound business decisions and
recommendations at the initial phases of the
employee lifecycle.
ConsultationThe ability to provide guidance on

planning and structuring the workforce, based on
current and future needs of the organization and
key stakeholders.
Knowledge Topics:
Employee lifecycle phases
Employee retention techniques
Employer value proposition techniques
Employment branding approaches
External labor market PEST factors
External and internal recruitment approaches
Evaluation techniques
Formal assessment methods and tools
Identification of bona fide occupational
qualifications (BFOQs)
Interviewing techniques
Job analysis, evaluation, and design of job
descriptions
Job offer contingencies
Metrics (e.g., cost per hire, days to fill)
Recruitment approaches
Selection approaches
Sourcing approaches

18
Staffing projection approaches
Functional Area #2: Employee Engagement

Definition: Employee Engagement solidifies the connection among employee, manager, and the organizations
mission, vision, values, and goals. HR demonstrates value by understanding and leveraging the employeremployee relationship from both individual and organizational perspectives, developing effective strategies to
address appropriate expectations for performance and behavior from employees at all levels.

include:
Developing and implementing employee and

workplace policies.
Evaluating and influencing workplace cultures and

norms that allow for collaboration and effectiveness.
Investigating workplace harassment and

misconduct.
Identifying appropriate conduct and behaviors that

support organization cultural success.
Understanding requests for

workplaceaccommodations and engaging key
stakeholders to determine appropriate responses.
Establishing strategies to address workplace

retaliation and violence.
Conducting due diligence when consulting on

workplace disputes.
Developing strategies to determine the effectiveness

of performance management systems.
Designing and implementing workplace policies,

handbooks, and codes of conduct.
Applying best practices for workplace flexibility to

improve organizational effectiveness.
Developing infrastructure to support cultural

norms and values.
Consulting on satisfactory employee performance

and on approaches to performance management.
Designing and implementing appreciation and

recognition programs.
Consulting on important workplace issues with key

stakeholders.
Managing employee onboarding and assimilation

processes.
Designing, conducting, and analyzing employee

surveys.
Consulting with managers on how to supervise

difficult employees, handle disruptive behaviors,
and respond with an appropriate level of corrective
action.
Participating in the resolution of workplace

disputes.
Identifying and using appropriate alternative

dispute resolution techniques.

CommunicationThe ability to ensure effective

communication between the employee and the
organization, using a variety of methods and
approaches.
Relationship ManagementThe ability to engage

and retain employees through positive interactions
that support the mission, vision, values, and goals
of the organization.
ConsultationThe ability to effectively provide

guidance and influence decisions that balance
organizational with individual needs.
19
Knowledge Topics:
Alternative dispute resolution techniques
Analysis of organizational culture and climate
Coaching and counseling
Cognitive biases (e.g., halo bias, similar-to-me bias)
Complaint resolution procedures
Conflict management theory and approaches
Disciplinary procedures and approaches
Employee recordkeeping and retention
Investigation techniques
Management of people
Metrics
Motivational theories
Organizational culture influences
Organizational change management
Performance management systems
Principles of effective performance appraisal
techniques (e.g., goal-setting, giving feedback)
Principles of survey creation, administration, and
evaluation
Recognition approaches
Retaliation prevention approaches

Workplace flexibility
20 THE SHRM BODY OF COMPETENCY AND KNOWLEDGE
Functional Area #3: Learning & Development

Definition: Learning & Development aligns organizational business needs with employees competencies,
knowledge, and skills, effectively closing the gap between them. HR demonstrates value by identifying and
creating learning opportunities that increase employee capability and organizational knowledge.

Developing staff capabilities using state-of-the-art

learning and development strategies.
Planning for internal or external resources to

deliver appropriate development interventions to
target internal audience.
Creating a forum of internal social networks for

effective sharing of knowledge among employees.
Developing programs to promote the transfer of

knowledge to and from experienced and junior
employees.
Advancing organizational learning and

development, knowledge management, and the
exchange of information about practices and
innovations.
Consulting and providing resources and processes

to facilitate experiential learning and development.

include:

Consulting on and guiding the identification and

development of critical competencies.
Designing approaches for resolving competency

deficiencies in current and emerging leaders.
Creating long-term strategies to develop

organizational talent.
Creating strategies to ensure the retention of

organizational knowledge.

Business AcumenThe ability to understand how

measures of organizational success are positively
influenced by the retention of and increase in
individual knowledge, skills, and competencies.
Critical EvaluationThe ability to analyze

organizational and training needs assessments, so
as to determine the most effective learning and
development solutions supporting achievement of
individual and organizational goals and objectives.
Relationship ManagementThe ability to

manage relationships to determine appropriate
learning and development interventions supporting
the achievement of organizational goals and
objectives.
Knowledge Topics:
Career development techniques
Career management philosophies
Change management approaches
Coaching styles and approaches
Competency models
Knowledge-sharing techniques
Learning evaluation approaches
Mentoring options
Metrics
Organizational intervention design and
implementation approaches
Leadership development techniques
Learning theories
Needs assessment techniques (e.g., organizational,
training)
Skill and competency development approaches
Training design and implementation (e.g., ADDIE
model)

Training and development techniques and solutions
21
Functional Area #4: Total Rewards

Definition: Total Rewards encompasses direct and indirect remuneration approaches that employers use to
attract, recognize, and retain workers. HR demonstrates value by designing and administering systems and
programs (e.g., base pay, benefits, incentive pay, leave, perquisites, retirement) that support recruitment and
retention efforts.

Designing and implementing appropriate pay,

benefit, incentive, and separation/severance
systems and programs.
Complying with compensation and benefits

practices, laws, and regulations.
Performing accurate job analyses and evaluations.
Differentiating between government-mandated,

government-provided, and voluntary benefit
approaches.

include:

Designing organizational compensation and

benefits strategies and plans that align with the
organizations mission, vision, and values.
Designing and implementing executive

compensation approaches that directly connect
individual performance to organizational success.

Business AcumenThe ability to understand

organizational strategy and, in turn, create the best
balance of monetary and non-monetary payment
and rewards offered to employees.

remuneration surveys, market data, and other
external PEST data, in order to make sound
business decisions and recommendations about
the design, delivery, and success of a total rewards
program.
Knowledge Topics:
Accounting practices and principles
Benefits (e.g., disability insurance, domestic
partners, education, employee assistance
programs, families, life insurance, retirement plans,
unemployment insurance, wellness programs,
workers compensation)
External labor markets PEST factors
Fiduciary responsibilities
Income replacement programs
Job analysis, job design, job descriptions
Metrics
Perquisites
Pay practices, policies, approaches, systems,
and issues (e.g., base pay, minimum wage
determinations, pay compression, pay equity, pay
increases, pay levels and banding), and special
provisions (e.g., overtime)
Remuneration data analysis (collecting, analyzing,
making recommendations)
Time-off plans and approaches (e.g., paid and
unpaid leave, vacation/holiday)
DOMAIN 2: Organization
Functional Area #5: Structure of the HR Function
Definition: Structure of the HR Function encompasses the people-related processes, theories, and activities
used to deliver HR services that create and drive organizational effectiveness. HR demonstrates value by
selecting the appropriate delivery model (e.g. Center of Excellence/COE, generalist, shared services) with an
understanding of stakeholder needs and the impact of decisions on the overall workforce.


and apply organizational strategy, mission, vision,
and values in developing and implementing an HR
strategy and tactical plan.
Understanding business lines and products/services

(including revenue generation, profitability, and the
competitive market).
Implementing solutions based on analysis and

understanding of the impact on the organization of
leading and lagging financial, customer, operations,
and learning indicators.

workforce and employee information and data to
drive recommendations and decisions concerning
people and business.
Designing and implementing the appropriate

servicing model (centralized versus decentralized).
Demonstrating partnership capabilities with

non-HR business leaders to capitalize on
organizational success or to solve organizational
issues.
Consultation The ability to provide balanced

and thoughtful guidance to organizational
stakeholders on matters related to people and
business.
Knowledge Topics:
Serving as the HR point-of-service contact for key

stakeholders within a division or group.
Balanced scorecard philosophy
Centralization versus decentralization
Providing workforce consultation to all levels of

leadership and management.
Defined approaches to roles and functions for

generalists and specialists
Delivering HR services and support that

demonstrate ones business knowledge and acumen
contributing to organizational success.
Analyzing data and performance indicators to

ensure the effectiveness of the HR organization.
Due diligence methodologies

HR organizational structure and design
HR functional integration approaches
Negotiation and influence techniques
Stakeholder analysis techniques
Strategy design and implementation
Structural model approaches to HR (e.g., Center

of Excellence/COE, HR business partner, shared
services)

include:

Supporting the communication, understanding,

and implementation of the organizations mission,
vision, values, and strategy.
Designing and implementing the HR operational

structure to ensure efficient and effective delivery
of services.
Developing appropriate measures and metrics (e.g.,

balanced scorecard) to demonstrate the value of
HR activities in supporting organizational success.
THE SHRM BODY OF COMPETENCY AND KNOWLEDGE 23
Functional Area #6: Organizational Effectiveness & Development

Definition: Organizational Effectiveness & Development deals with the overall structure and functionality of the
organization that is, measuring the effectiveness and growth of people and processes from long- and shortterm perspectives, and leading necessary organizational change initiatives. HR demonstrates value by aligning
the organizations vision, mission, and goals with day-to-day operational activities, including organizational
design, development, performance measures, and standards.

Ensuring that workforce activities are accurately

reflected in job descriptions and other key
documents (e.g., applicant tracking systems, job
postings, performance management systems).
Creating and monitoring metrics to assess

organizational development and effectiveness
Recognizing and eliminating barriers to

organizational development and effectiveness.
Planning for internal or external resources to

deliver appropriate short-term development
interventions and activities.

include:

Consulting on, planning, and designing

organizational structures that align with the
effective delivery of activities in support of the
achievement of organizational strategy.
Assessing organizational needs to identify critical

competencies for operational effectiveness.
Consulting on, developing, and designing

performance standards and assessment metrics.
Knowledge Topics:

Business solution and performance analysis

Change and culture metrics
Change management theories and approaches
Consulting techniques
Design approaches for a motivational work
environment
Design approaches for work activity

Group dynamics
How employees learn culture
How organizational cultures are created
Influence techniques
Knowledge management approaches (e.g.,
organizational storytelling techniques)
Labor supply and demand analysis
Motivational theories
Organizational behavior theories
Organizational culture versus national culture
Organizational design structures and approaches
(e.g., customer, functional, geographic, matrix,
program)
Organizational learning approaches
Organizational needs analysis techniques
Performance management theories, structures, and

approaches
Project management approaches
Roles and responsibilities (e.g., chain of command,
span of control)

organizational strategies and apply this knowledge
to create a plan for effective growth.

organizational information and performance data
to ensure the implementation of effective and
efficient business solutions.
Strategic-tactical alignment
Types of cultures (e.g., authoritarian, dominant

cultures, mechanistic, participative, subcultures)

manage interactions with key stakeholders and
provide appropriate recommendations and
solutions based on in-depth organizational
knowledge and expertise.
Understanding individual differences and

perceptions
Functional Area #7: Workforce Management

Definition: Workforce Management enables the organization to meet its talent needs and close critical skill
gaps using data-driven processes (e.g., workforce planning, succession planning) that inform HR initiatives. HR
demonstrates value by facilitating financial and operational growth, continuity, or stability.

Implementing approaches (e.g., buy or build)

to ensure that appropriate workforce levels exist to
deliver on organizational goals and objectives.
Planning short-term strategies to build individual

skills, knowledge, abilities, and competencies that
support organizational bench strength.
Implementing strategies for restructuring the

organization (e.g., acquisition, downsizing).
Implementing succession plans for optimizing

organizational growth and effectiveness.
Designing and implementing programs and

solutions for management and retention of

Business AcumenThe ability to understand the

organizations evolutionary stage (introduction,
growth, maturity, or decline) and ensure that the
strategic plan addresses the unique needs of each
stage, in terms of size and structure.

growth or retraction patterns and data, in order
to make decisions and recommendations as to
organizational size, structure, and reporting
relationships, as well as the acquisition (internally
developed or externally obtained) of competencies,
knowledge, skills, and abilities.

manage interactions with key stakeholders
and provide appropriate recommendations
and solutions that address current and future
organizational gaps.

include:

Consulting on and initiating strategies to create a

robust workforce plan that addresses current and
future organizational needs, including workforce
size and structure.
Initiating and designing strategies (e.g., leadership

development, succession planning, training) to
address organizational gaps between current and
future employees competencies, knowledge, skills,
and abilities.
Designing and implementing strategies to retain

Designing strategies for restructuring the

organization (e.g., acquisition, downsizing).
Knowledge Topics:
Communication techniques
Employee development techniques and approaches
Knowledge management, retention, and transfer
techniques
Learning theories and philosophies
Needs assessment techniques (e.g., organizational,
training)
Restructuring approaches

Succession planning techniques

Workforce planning techniques and analyses (e.g.,
gap and solution, implementation and evaluation,
supply and demand, workforce profile)
Functional Area #8: Employee Relations

Definition: Employee Relations refers to any dealings between the organization and its employees regarding
the terms and conditions of employment. HR demonstrates value by ensuring that the appropriate framework,
mindset, and practices are in place to embrace or react or respond to the employment relationship, including
relationships with employee representatives.

Managing union/employee representative interactions.
Engaging in appropriate and lawful unionmanagement practices.
Representing the organizations interests in unionmanagement activities.
Managing the collective bargaining process, when

appropriate.
Resolving workplace labor disputes internally.
Managing arbitration and mediation processes.
Participating in or facilitating alternate dispute

resolution processes.
Understanding and making recommendations to

respond to other types of employee representation
(e.g. government, legal).
Key responsibilities for advanced HR professionals:

Consulting on and developing an effective labor

strategy (i.e., avoidance or acceptance) with the
desired impact on the organization and its workforce.
Educating employees, managers, and leaders at all
levels about the organizations labor strategy (i.e.,
avoidance or acceptance) and its impact on the
achievement of goals and objectives.

Ethical PracticeThe ability to maintain

confidentiality and appropriate levels of
transparency in ways that balance the needs of
employees and the organization.

manage interactions that balance organizational
and employee needs.

labor activity information and data for making
appropriate decisions about the organizations
response to employee concerns or third-party
representation.
Knowledge Topics:

Alternative dispute resolution techniques
Causes of strikes, boycotts, and work stoppages
Child labor
Collective bargaining process
Communication approaches
Contract administration techniques
Contract negotiation approaches
Disciplinary techniques
Standard workday
Employee engagement approaches
Governmental labor parties and party relations by

nation
Grievance, complaint, and conflict resolution

techniques
Industrial relations
International Labor Organization (ILO) core labor

standards
International labor practices
Labor economics
Labor environments (e.g., pluralism, radicalism,

unitarianism)
Labor rights
Living and fair wage concepts
People-management techniques
Positive union/management relations approaches
Recognition approaches
Service award approaches
Social movement unionism, new unionism

proletariat
Socialism, syndicalism, anarcho-syndicalism
Strike actions, secondary actions, general strikes,

sit-down strikes, work-to-rule
Survey techniques
Trade unions by nation
Trade union federations
Unfair labor practices
Union acceptance and avoidance approaches
Union attractiveness
Union membership
Union structures
Unionized labor history
Works councils structures and approaches
World Trade Organization
Functional Area #9: Technology & Data

Definition: Technology & Data deals with the use of tools, technologies, and systems that support the
gathering, analysis, and reporting of workforce information, as well as effective and efficient collaboration
and communication throughout the organization. HR demonstrates value by developing knowledge about
technology uses, trends, and innovations applicable to HRs strategic goals.

Human Resource ExpertiseThe ability to

maintain up-to-date knowledge about core business
and HR technologies to solve business challenges.
Identifying, analyzing, and implementing

appropriate technology solutions for the delivery of
effective HR services.

and apply technology solutions that support
achievement of the organizations strategic plan.
Implementing appropriate HR information systems

(HRIS) that integrate with enterprise systems
to provide efficient and effective reporting and
metrics.
Critical EvaluationThe ability to efficiently

access information and data in order to make
business decisions and recommendations.
CommunicationThe ability to develop

technology solutions that promote the effective
exchange of information among key stakeholders,
regardless of location.
Consulting on effective policies and approaches

to address technology use in the workplace (e.g.,
collaboration, communication, networking, social
media).
Accessing appropriate data and information to

analyze specific business challenges and recommend
solutions.
Leveraging technology to gain efficiencies within
the HR function.

include:

Identifying and implementing technology solutions

that support achievement of organizational
strategies, goals, and objectives.
Using technology for data analytics that optimize

each HR Functional Area.
Developing and implementing a technologydriven self-service approach enabling managers

and employees to perform basic people-related
transactions (e.g. benefit enrollment, compensation
administration, information changes, scheduling,
timekeeping).
Knowledge Topics:

Business process integration approaches
Data analytic techniques
Data management protection approaches
Electronic recordkeeping approaches
Electronic signature acceptance
HR information systems and sources
HR management and information system design
Information management theory
Procurement approaches
Product development
Project management theories
Social media practices and usage
Systems integration approaches
Technology use policies and practices
DOMAIN 3: Workplace
Functional Area #10: HR in the Global Context
Definition: HR in the Global Context focuses on organizational growth and workforce-related issues and
impacts, viewed from domestic, multinational, transnational, and global perspectives. HR demonstrates value
by understanding how global PEST factors influence business decisions, and by applying this knowledge to
day-to-day HR activities, policy creation, and business solution recommendations.
ConsultationThe ability to provide guidance

on global matters to internal and external
organizational stakeholders.
Recognizing and responding to global issues that

influence domestic business practices.
Maintaining up-to-date knowledge of PEST, HR,

and legal trends in global terms.
Creating a global organizational culture
Developing expert knowledge of global trends and

best practices.
Cross-border HR management techniques
Balancing the organizational desire for

standardization with localization through a
glocalized approach to decision-making.
Cultural models (e.g., Hall, Hofstede, Schein,

Trompenaars)
Global discrimination prevention practices
Building cross-cultural relationships and

partnerships with global stakeholders.
Implementing and conducting audits of global HR

practices.
Global legal systems (e.g., different nations

approaches to government-mandated, governmentprovided, and voluntary benefits, extra-territoriality
of laws and legislation)
Global mindset techniques (e.g., communication

barrier removal, cultural awareness training and
assimilation, understanding PEST factors)
Global trends in benefits, compensation, diversity

and inclusion, employment laws, ethics and
sustainability, labor markets, labor relations, safety
and security, staffing management
Managing international assignments (e.g.,

approaches and trends, effective performance,
compensation adjustments, employee repatriation)
Moving work (e.g., co-sourcing, near-shoring,

offshoring, on-shoring)
Taxation approaches
Totalization agreements
Visa and work permit considerations

include:

Developing and implementing a comprehensive

strategy to address issues affecting business, people,
and the workforce on a global basis.
Consulting on and developing strategies to define

global competencies.
Consulting on labor and economic trends, cultural

implications, and the legal environment for
business decisions and risks.

CommunicationThe ability to effectively

exchange information with stakeholders to ensure
that a global perspective is considered in decisionmaking.
Global & Cultural EffectivenessThe ability to

value and consider all parties perspectives and
backgrounds.
Knowledge Topics:
Functional Area #11: Diversity & Inclusion

Definition: Diversity & Inclusion encompasses the qualities, life experiences, personalities, education, skills,
competencies, and collaboration of the many different types of people who are necessary to propel an
organization to success. HR demonstrates value by creating opportunities that leverage the human experience
to address organizational needs or solve issues on a global basis.

Ethical PracticeThe ability to recognize and

mitigate the influence of bias in business decisions.

manage interactions that provide service to and
support the organization from a global perspective.
Consulting on the difference between issues of

performance and those of culture or personal style.
Developing expert knowledge of global trends and

best practices in diversity and inclusion.
Maintaining expert global and cultural knowledge.
Facilitating an organizational culture that promotes

a global mindset for diversity and inclusion through
development activities and experiences.

exchange information with global stakeholders.
Championing diversity and inclusion programs with

external stakeholders (e.g., diverse suppliers).
Global & Cultural EffectivenessThe ability

to value and consider the perspectives and
backgrounds of all parties.
Providing mentoring, training, guidance, and

coaching on cultural trends and practices to
employees at all levels of the organization.
Approaches to a multi-generational workforce
Developing cross-cultural relationships
Implementing audit practices to ensure cultural

awareness on a global basis.
Effective approaches to building trust and

relationships
Demonstrating nonjudgmental respect for others

perspectives.
Emotional intelligence
Glass-ceiling prevention
High- and low-context cultures
Inclusive leadership
Influence of the 4 Ts (travel, training, transfers,

and teams)
Intercultural wisdom
Issues related to disability, ethnicity, gender,

language, race, sexual orientation
Level of global acceptance of diversity (e.g.,

disability, ethnicity, gender, language, race, religion,
sexual orientation)

include:

In conjunction with other business leaders,

developing, implementing, and overseeing
programs, practices, and policies that make the
strategic connection between a global mindset and
organizational success.
Knowledge Topics:
Ensuring that equitability for all internal and

external stakeholders is considered when designing
programs, policies, and practices.
Taking diversity into account when planning and

implementing programs, policies, and practices.
Mindful communication
Fostering and influencing an inclusive

Religious influences and accommodation
Techniques for cultural awareness and respect
Fostering an environment that embraces and

encourages global mobility, which allows for
diverse experiences.
Functional Area #12: Risk Management

Definition: Risk managementis the identification, assessment, and prioritization ofrisks(defined inISO
31000asthe effect of uncertainty on objectives), followed by the coordinated and economical application
of resources to minimize, monitor, and control the probability and/or impact of unfortunate eventsor to
maximize the realization of opportunities.

Directly or indirectly developing, implementing

and overseeing the execution of programs,
practices, and policies that mitigate risk and support
organizational success (e.g., appropriate use of
technology, fiduciary responsibility, fraud, theft,
workplace safety and security, workplace violence).
Maintaining accountability for recording and

reporting workplace safety compliance.
Developing crisis management and contingency

plans for the HR function and the organization.
Designing and implementing continuity plans for

the HR function and the organization.
Communicating critical information about risk

mitigation to all stakeholders.
Communicating information about workplace

safety and security issues to all levels of employees.
Auditing risk management activities.

include:

In conjunction with other leaders, developing and

implementing a comprehensive strategy to address
and mitigate risk on a global basis.
Leveraging technologies (e.g., communication
systems, computer security, contingency systems,
records backup, social media) to manage and
protect workforce and organizational data.
Examining and providing guidance on potential

threats to the organization.
In conjunction with other leaders, developing

strategies to ensure the sustainability of the
enterprise.
Evaluating labor market trends and industry

standards for their impacts on business.
Designing standards-based systems for mitigating risk.
Leading after-action debriefs.


maintain current and up-to-date knowledge about
the role of HR in risk management.
Business AcumenThe ability to understand and

apply information to develop the organizations risk
management strategy.

internal and external information and data to make
risk-based business decisions and recommendations
that align with the organizations level of risk
tolerance.

exchange information with stakeholders that
increases their understanding of approaches to
mitigate risk exposure.

manage interactions that provide risk-based service
and support to the organization.
Knowledge Topics:

Business recovery planning
Continuity of operations planning
Corporate espionage and sabotage prevention
Data integrity mechanisms and practices
Data management protection and disclosure

approaches
Drug prevention
Duty of care
Emergency/incident response plans
Health and safety practices and procedures
Information management theory
Kidnapping and ransom prevention
Natural disaster and severe weather emergency

preparation
Occupational injury and illness prevention,

compensation, and accommodations
31
Public health preparedness and response
Safety auditing techniques
Terrorism prevention and responses
Theft and fraud prevention approaches
Whistleblower protection approaches
Workplace incident investigations
Workplace safety risks and hazards
Workplace violence prevention techniques
Functional Area #13: Corporate Social Responsibility

Definition: Corporate Social Responsibility represents the organizations commitment to operate its business in
an ethical and sustainable manner. HR demonstrates value by understanding the societal impacts to business
decisions and using this insight to improve the quality of life for the communitypeople, organization, and
planetthrough philanthropy, ethics and governance, and environmentally sound practices, respectively.

include:
Acting with personal, professional, and behavioral

integrity, in conformance with an HR code of
ethical conduct.
Consulting on, developing, and implementing

the organizations corporate social responsibility
strategy.
Investigating, evaluating, and responding to all

reports of unethical behavior, conflicts of interest,
and associated levels of organizational risk.
Consulting on, developing, and implementing an

organizational culture that supports responsible
and ethical decision-making.
Advising executives on any reports of unethical

behavior or conflicts of interest that increase risk
tolerance or risk of liability.
Leveraging the organizations corporate social

responsibility programs to enhance the employee
value proposition.
Designing mechanisms for employees to report

unethical behavior or conflicts of interest without
fear of reprisal.
Consulting on, developing, and implementing a

code of conduct that reflects the appropriate level
of corporate self-governance.
Demonstrating the highest ethical standards and

practices and organizational valuesespoused as
well as enacted.
Consulting on and demonstrating the appropriate

level of transparency in organizational practices.
Understanding PEST factors and how they affect

organizational and workforce decisions.
Establishing the HR team as a credible and

trustworthy organizational resource for internal
and external stakeholders.
Consulting on management decisions related to

ethics, governance, and social involvement.

ConsultationThe ability to provide balanced

guidance to stakeholders that will have a positive
impact on the organizations reputation, internally
and externally.

manage interactions with external stakeholders that
demonstrate corporate citizenship.
Knowledge Topics:

Anti-bribery approaches
Aligning HRs decisions with the organizations

strategies and values.
Caux principles
Charitable/community giving approaches
Developing and implementing organizational

standards for the confidentiality of workforce and
organizational data.
Code of conduct development
Community inclusion approaches
Compliance program evaluation
Confidentiality measures and approaches
Conflicts-of-interest avoidance
Corporate citizenship and governance programs

and legislation
Corporate philanthropy approaches
Corporate social responsibility best practices

Economic trend analysis
Ethical decision-making in a global context
Ethical employee management practices
ISO standards
Key performance indicators
PEST factors
Privacy concerns
Social auditing techniques
Social media usage
Transparent decision making
Volunteer programming
Functional Area #14: U.S. Employment Law & Regulations

Important Note: This Area is applicable only to examinees testing within the United States; examinees outside the
U.S. will not be tested on it.
Definition: U.S. Employment Law & Regulations deals with the knowledge and application of all relevant
laws and regulations in the United States relating to employment. These provisions set the parameters and
limitations for each HR Functional Area and for organizations overall. HR demonstrates value by ensuring the
organizations compliance with laws and regulations domestically and globally (including extraterritorially).


remain current on relevant laws, regulations, and
legal rulings.
Maintaining a current working knowledge of

relevant employment laws, domestic and/or global.
Establishing criteria for organizational compliance.
Educating and advising the executive team on legal

compliance relating to HR issues as a factor in
decision-making.
Ethical PracticeThe ability to immediately

respond to reports of unethical or illegal behavior.
Promoting broad-based HR knowledge to ensure

compliance with laws and regulations.
Critical EvaluationThe ability to interpret legal

compliance information and data to make business
decisions and recommendations.
Ensuring the alignment of HR policies and

procedures with laws and regulations.
Leadership & NavigationThe ability to direct

and contribute to legal compliance processes within
the organization.
Overseeing and consulting on HR issues involving

legal and financial risk to the organization.
Brokering internal or external legal services for the

interpretation of employment laws.
CommunicationThe ability to exchange

information on legal compliance with internal
stakeholders.
Establishing or positioning HR technology

approaches for compliance and reporting.
ConsultationThe ability to provide knowledge of

legal compliance to internal stakeholders.

manage interactions that provide service and
support to the organization.
Knowledge Topics: Listed below are six broad

categories of U.S. laws, regulations, and cases relating
to employment, together with examples. (This is not
an exhaustive list of categories or examples.) Local laws
and regulations, such as those on the state or municipal
level, are not included.

Compensation
Examples: Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974 (ERISA); Fair Labor
Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA; Wage-Hour
Bill; Wagner-Connery Wages and Hours Act)
and amendments; Equal Pay Act of 1963
(amending FLSA); Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act
of 2009; Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber
Co. (2007).
Employee relations
Examples: Labor Management Relations Act
of 1947 (LMRA; Taft-Hartley Act); National
Labor Relations Act of 1935 (NLRA; Wagner
Act; Wagner-Connery Labor Relations Act);
NLRB v. Weingarten (1975); Lechmere, Inc. v.
NLRB (1992).
Equal employment opportunity

Examples: Age Discrimination in Employment
Act of 1967 (ADEA) and amendments;
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA)
and ADA Amendments Act of 2008; Civil
Rights Acts; Equal Employment Opportunity
Act of 1972 (amending Civil Rights Act);
Uniform Guidelines on Employee Selection
Procedures (1978) (29 CFR Part 1607); Griggs
v. Duke Power Co. (1971); Phillips v. Martin
Marietta Corp. (1971).
Job safety and health

Examples: Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988;
Guidelines on Sexual Harassment; Occupational
Safety and Health Act of 1970.
Leave and benefits

Examples: Family and Medical Leave Act of
1993 (FMLA; expanded 2008, 2010); Patient
Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA;
ACA; Obamacare); National Federation of
Independent Business v. Sebelius (2012).
Miscellaneous protection laws

Examples: Employee Polygraph Protection
Act of 1988; Genetic Information
Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA).
DOMAIN 4: Strategy
Functional Area #15: Business & HR Strategy
Definition: Business & HR Strategy involves organizational planning to achieve success and create value
for stakeholders. HR demonstrates value by contributing its perspective and expertise to development of
the enterprise strategy, and by developing, implementing, and evaluating an HR strategy aligned with the
organizations goals, values, and tactics, as defined in the enterprise strategy.

Developing results-oriented metrics and scorecards

that contribute to organizational success.
Using knowledge of business and metrics to make

workforce and business decisions.
Ensuring that all HR initiatives demonstrate

measurable value to the organization.
Demonstrating a working knowledge of the labor

market and its relation to organizational success.
Benchmarking the competition and other relevant

comparison groups, to better understand market
position and competitive advantage.
Creating an action plan for managing talent within

the confines of the labor market.
Maintaining advanced knowledge of key industry

metrics and how the organization compares to the
standard.
In conjunction with other leaders, establishing

measurable goals and objectives that create a
culture of accountability, and regularly monitoring
results against goals in support of business strategy.
Evaluating critical activities in terms of value

added, impact, and utility derived from cost-benefit
analyses, revenue, profit-and-loss estimates, and
other leading or lagging indicators.
Applying consistently to internal HR processes

and policies the principles of finance, marketing,
economics, sales, technology, and business systems.
Maintaining a systems-wide perspective when

making business decisions.

include:

In conjunction with other leaders, developing a

business strategy aligned to the organizations goals
and objectives.
Aligning HR strategy, goals, and objectives with

overall business strategy and objectives, to drive
business results.
Developing and evaluating business cases proposed

for HR and other functional projects and initiatives.
Developing strategies for employment branding

and marketing communications that will reach
internal and external audiences.
Identifying key talent requirements to successfully

execute the business strategy.
Developing and implementing an action plan for

capturing, developing, and managing the talent
needed to execute the business strategy, including
the effective management of a global workforce.

Business AcumenThe ability to understand and

apply information to develop the organizations
strategic plan.

information and data to make business decisions
and recommendations.
Leadership & NavigationThe ability to direct

and contribute to initiatives and processes within
the organization.
ConsultationThe ability to provide guidance to

organizational stakeholders.

exchange information with stakeholders.

manage interactions to provide service and support
to the organization.
Knowledge Topics:

Approaches for linking organizational and HR

strategies
Balanced scorecard utilization
Business intelligence factors
Change management techniques
Competitive analysis techniques
Conflict management techniques
Due diligence techniques
Effective communication techniques
Ethical decision-making framework
Goal-setting approaches
HR systems integration approaches
Labor market analysis
Leadership theories, approaches, and evaluation
Leading and lagging indicators
Mission, vision, and values creation
Organizational growth strategies, evolution stages,

and success factors
Project management methods
Quality assurance techniques
Strategic management considerations
Strategic planning stages (i.e., strategy formulation,

development, implementation, and evaluation)
PEST factors
SWOT and environmental scanning techniques
Section 3: Exam Overview

The SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP exams are based
on the SHRM BoCK and its two major aspects of
modern HR practice, Competencies and Knowledge.
Accordingly, the exams contain two types of questions:

Knowledge items, which cover the four Knowledge

Domains (People, Organization, Workplace, and
Strategy) associated with the SHRM BoCKs
Technical Knowledge competency; and
Situational judgment items, which cover the

knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) associated
with the SHRM BoCKs Behavioral Competencies.
In addition, both exams contain field test items (see
below), the answers for which will not be scored.
on particular subject areas. Situational judgment

items assess candidates KSAs and decision-making
skills, which are not easily measured using traditional
knowledge-based questions. Examinees are presented
with realistic work-related scenarios and asked to
choose the best of several possible strategies to resolve
or address them.

The SHRM-CP exam contains 160 items: 130

scored questions (90 knowledge items and 40
situational judgment items) and up to 30 unscored
field test questions.
The SHRM-SCP exam contains 180 items: 150

scored questions (90 knowledge items and 60
situational judgment items) and up to 30 unscored
field test questions.
Knowledge items assess candidates understanding of

factual information. Examinees are asked questions
Field Test Questions

The field test items on the SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP
exams will be interspersed randomly in the exams
so that candidates will not know which they are.
Examinees answers to field test questions will not
count toward any part of their final exam scores.
Field-testing gathers data on a questions effectiveness

before it can be included on future exams as a scored
item. This process facilitates SHRMs efforts to
continuously assess and improve all aspects of its
certification program.
Figure 6 provides an overview of the score weighting
for the SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP exams.
FIGURE 6: SCORE WEIGHTING FOR EACH SUBJECT AREA

Subject Area
SHRM-CP (160 items)
SHRM-SCP (180 items)
Behavioral Competencies
35%
50%
People
20%
10%
Organization
20%
10%
Workplace
15%
10%
Strategy
10%
20%
Technical Knowledge
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What is the SHRM Body of Competency and Knowledge?

What is the SHRM Body of Competency and Knowledge?

What are competencies?

What are competencies?

The SHRM Body

This document describes the SHRM Body of Competency and Knowledge

THE SHRM BODY OF COMPETENCY AND KNOWLEDGE

Introduction to the SHRM Body of Competency and Knowledge.................................................................. 1

THE SHRM BODY OF COMPETENCY AND KNOWLEDGE

Introduction to the SHRM Body of

For more than sixty-five years, the Society for Human

and for employers, to provide reliable indicators of

The SHRM Competency Model is fundamental

INTRODUCTION TO THE SHRM BODY OF COMPETENCY AND KNOWLEDGE

FIGURE 1: SHRM BODY OF COMPETENCY & KNOWLEDGE (SHRM BoCK)

SHRM Body of Competency

HR Expertise (HR Knowledge Domains)

*Applicable only to examinees testing within the U.S.

THE SHRM BODY OF COMPETENCY AND KNOWLEDGE

INTRODUCTION TO THE SHRM BODY OF COMPETENCY AND KNOWLEDGE

Development of the SHRM BoCK

First, SHRM performed an extensive review of the

SHRM then confirmed the importance, relevance, and

SHRM then established a BoCK Advisory Panel

SHRM conducted a three-part knowledge specification

FIGURE 2: DEVELOPMENT OF THE SHRM COMPETENCY MODEL

111 focus groups

1,500 HR professionals and

FIGURE 3: KNOWLEDGE SPECIFICATION PROCESS

Textbooks, curricula, syllabi,

BoCK Advisory Panel

BoCK Advisory Panel

THE SHRM BODY OF COMPETENCY AND KNOWLEDGE

INTRODUCTION TO THE SHRM BODY OF COMPETENCY AND KNOWLEDGE

What Are Competencies?

technical knowledge to job-related behavior. In other

FIGURE 4: COMPETENCY DEFINITIONS

Leadership & Navigation

The ability to provide guidance to organizational stakeholders.

Global & Cultural Effectiveness

The ability to effectively exchange information with stakeholders.

HR Expertise (HR Knowledge)

The knowledge of principles, practices, and functions of effective human resource

THE SHRM BODY OF COMPETENCY AND KNOWLEDGE

INTRODUCTION TO THE SHRM BODY OF COMPETENCY AND KNOWLEDGE

Organization of the SHRM BoCK Document

proficient; nonetheless, advanced HR professionals

Please note that some of the key behaviors relevant to

Definition summarizing the key concepts associated

Section 3 Exam Overview:

THE SHRM BODY OF COMPETENCY AND KNOWLEDGE

THE SHRM BODY OF COMPETENCY AND KNOWLEDGE

THE SHRM BODY OF COMPETENCY AND KNOWLEDGE

SECTION 1: BEHAVIORAL COMPETENCIES

Behavioral Competency #1: Leadership & Navigation

Promoting consensus among organizational

Serving as a transformational leader for the

Key behaviors indicative of proficiency in Leadership

Key behaviors indicative of proficiency in Leadership