AHOLD Moves from IT to Tech

How do you ensure the right person is in the right position within an organization? This requires insight into your employees: what knowledge do they possess, and what are their natural talents? GITP and Info Support achieved this in record time, mapping the expertise and talents of 150 IT employees within eight weeks. The goal? Transitioning to a tech-driven organization.

Ahold aims to become a tech-driven organization, which requires increasing internal technical IT expertise to reduce dependence on suppliers and accelerate innovation. Anne-Wil Kip, Head of HR Data Tech Digital & e-Commerce at Ahold, explains, "The main difference between an IT organization and a tech-driven organization is the amount of technical knowledge available internally. A tech-driven company possesses this expertise in-house, outsourcing fewer projects to partners. The advantage is that you have ownership over key technical decisions and processes, allowing for faster progress and a greater focus on business transformation."

EQ, IQ, and TQ

Success in a role demands more than just technical knowledge. Ahold wanted to assess not only the technical expertise but also the competencies and talents of employees. Eveline Ploeger, a senior advisor at GITP, says, "We aimed to provide a comprehensive overview for each employee, detailing both competencies and motivations alongside technical knowledge in an objective manner. This objectivity is crucial because a manager's evaluation of an employee's performance is relevant only to their current role. To predict performance in different roles, we must focus on inherent abilities and competencies, providing insight into developmental potential."

Skills Assessment Framework

Understanding the knowledge level of employees was also vital. For this, a specialized IT partner with expertise in training and assessing IT specialists was needed. Info Support’s Knowledge Center was the perfect fit. Thomas de Klerk, Chapter Lead Software & Architecture at Info Support, explains, "We use validated models like the Skills Assessment Framework to map the required knowledge and skills for various IT roles within an organization. For Ahold, we identified thirteen relevant knowledge areas, such as Internet of Things, architecture, networking & infrastructure, software craftsmanship, and strategic tech knowledge. We collaboratively determined the specific IT knowledge required for each IT role and the proficiency level needed across thirty different IT roles."

Conducting 150 Assessment Interviews

After completing the Skills Assessment Framework, assessment interviews were conducted. Thomas shares, "In just six weeks, we interviewed 150 IT professionals using a customized questionnaire for Ahold. We formulated specific questions for each knowledge area. For instance, in the technology knowledge area, we asked, 'Can you explain ways to maintain optimal software quality?' Using these predefined questions, we assessed employees' knowledge."

The results of the assessment interviews, combined with the outcomes of the GITP competency tests, created a complete profile for each employee. These profiles enabled Ahold’s management to determine the best fit for each IT specialist. Eveline from GITP notes, "While decision-making remains a human process, interpreting and discussing the data from assessments allows management to make more informed and objective decisions. By creating comprehensive profiles with Info Support, we provided Ahold with a full picture, something neither of us could have achieved alone. I'm proud of that."

The Outcome

Anne-Wil Kip from Ahold concludes, "Thanks to GITP and Info Support, we were able to assign many employees to new positions in our tech organization quickly. Almost all IT specialists found new roles that matched their knowledge, experience, and ambitions. Additionally, we gained insight into the expertise still missing within our organization, highlighting areas for further development. This information is invaluable for recruitment activities and developing our training offerings."