For example, Lockheed Martin SMD has a critical skills management
process, modeled after a systems engineering approach, to identify
at-risk skills and develop mitigation plans. Critical skills are those highly
complex technical and scientifi c skills most important to Lockheed’s mission
that enable key customer product or service delivery and where
the organization or customer may be willing to fund protégé development.
Experts are identified for each critical skill set, and experts create a
knowledge checklist for each skill set that includes the criteria to become
an expert. Protégés for each skill set then complete specific programs or
projects and targeted development. These critical skills and expertise are
documented and searchable in a database. Lockheed Martin SMD regularly
monitors metrics about the state of critical skills and then implements
protégé development plans to close any anticipated gaps in critical
skills. The company also conducts deep-dive proficiency assessments and
outreach to internal experts to better understand and close skill gaps.