Being 'competent' to do a particular task means that you're capable of handling all aspects of the task under a range of circumstances. This means that you not only have the necessary knowledge and skills to perform the task under routine conditions, but you can also transfer that understanding to new situations and environments.

The skills required to do this are called dimensions of competency, because they represent the various angles you need to be able to approach the job at in order to deal with changing conditions in your day-to-day work. These skills are shown below.

Some trainers visualise these dimensions of competency as being a bit like an iceberg, with the 'task skills' showing above the waterline and obvious for all to see. The other skills, which are below the waterline, provide the depth of understanding and ability that enables a person to do their work competently under a wide range of conditions.