Target release date: Q1 2024
Skills Base historically supported two different methods for calculating average skill and interest levels:
1. The “Strict average” calculation method factored zeros into averages, so that the average of 4 and 0 is calculated as 2.
2. The “Relevant skills” calculation method ignored zeros in averages, so that the average of 4 and 0 is calculated as 4.
The “Elimination of Calculation Methods” change includes 3 parts:
1. Removal of “Calculation Method” options, so that all Skills Base instances conform to the “Strict average” calculation approach.
2. Addition of an “N/A” rating option, in addition to the existing zero rating in the Master Rating Scheme configuration.
3. Conversion of zeros to N/A for any customer that is currently using zeros to represent N/A.
Removal of “Calculation Method” options
The ability to choose between the two calculation methods of “Strict average” and “Relevant skills” has been removed. All Skills Base instances will be set to use the rules of the “Strict average” calculation method, which means that any zero ratings will always be factored into averages.
The removal of this option simplifies calculations across the system since it removes the need to apply special handling rules around zero ratings. This will make it easier for customers to both deconstruct Skills Base calculations, and to calculate averages in external files and systems when required.
Addition of an “N/A” rating option
In order to retain the ability to rate a skill but have that rating ignored in average calculations, we have added an “N/A” rating option that can be enabled in the Master Rating Scheme, which represents “Not applicable” or “No value”. This rating is in addition to the existing zero rating, so customers can elect to have one, both, or neither of these ratings enabled.
When the N/A rating is enabled, if a person rates skill or interest level at N/A, this will not be factored into average calculations, such that ratings of N/A and 4 will average out to 4. Therefore, N/A behaves the same as if there was no rating provided.
When the zero rating is enabled, if a person rates skill or interest level at zero, this will be factored into average calculations, such that ratings of 0 and 4 will average out to 2.
Conversion of zeros to N/A (Only affects a subset of customers)
In order to avoid what would be significant effects to average skill and interest levels across all entities in Skills Base (eg: people, skills, roles, teams, etc), we will automatically convert zeros to N/A for any customer that is currently using zeros to represent N/A. These customers have zero rating(s) enabled in conjunction with the “Relevant skills” Calculation Method.
Customers in this position will receive advance communications before the change is implemented, to allow them to prepare and fully understand the change. These customers can elect to retain the zero ratings and to not have them converted to N/A (by contacting our support team), however choosing this option will result in potentially significant effects to skill and/or interest levels across all entities in the system. For example, where the average of 4 and 0 was being calculated as 4, if zeros are retained after the change goes live that average will immediately change to 2.
The following screenshots illustrate how the conversion of zeros to N/A affects specific parts of Skills Base: