The document discusses competencies, which focus on the behaviors that cause successful job outcomes, as opposed to just the outcomes themselves. It defines competencies as consisting of knowledge, skills, attitudes, and personality factors within a specific job context or role. The document outlines several approaches to identifying competencies, including job analysis and identifying high performers. It also discusses benefits of using competency models in human resource management processes like selection, training, performance appraisal, and succession planning. Competency models provide a framework for defining and measuring factors critical to organizational effectiveness.