Book companion resource · Worksheet

Crew Skills Matrix

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Know what your crew can do. Know what they can't do yet. Build the cross-training plan from the gaps.

Companion to: Fix the System, Chapter 27. Who uses it: the maintenance supervisor and maintenance manager. When to use: build once, update after every cross-training event, review quarterly. Post at the supervisor station or keep in the shift binder.

Section / Shift: _______________________ Supervisor: _______________________ Date last updated: _______________________

PART 1 — Skills Matrix

Skill level codes:

✓ — Can do independently (no guidance needed, safe to deploy alone at any hour)
G — Can do with guidance (needs an experienced tech present for first few repetitions)
— — Cannot do yet (no experience with this task or equipment)

Add technician names in the header row. Add critical tasks/equipment in the left column. Extend the grid as needed.

Critical Task / Equipment	Tech 1: _______	Tech 2: _______	Tech 3: _______	Tech 4: _______	Tech 5: _______	Tech 6: _______	Coverage Gap?
							☐
							☐
							☐
							☐
							☐
							☐
							☐
							☐
							☐
							☐
							☐
							☐
							☐
							☐
							☐

Coverage gap definition: any task or equipment where fewer than 2 technicians on this shift can do it independently (✓). Mark ☐ in the Coverage Gap column.

PART 2 — Coverage Gap Summary

List each gap from Part 1. Assign a cross-training plan for each.

Risk If Gap Unaddressed	Method	Completed
☐ High ☐ Medium ☐ Low	☐ Job shadow ☐ Guided repair ☐ Independent with job plan	☐
☐ High ☐ Medium ☐ Low	☐ Job shadow ☐ Guided repair ☐ Independent with job plan	☐
☐ High ☐ Medium ☐ Low	☐ Job shadow ☐ Guided repair ☐ Independent with job plan	☐
☐ High ☐ Medium ☐ Low	☐ Job shadow ☐ Guided repair ☐ Independent with job plan	☐
☐ High ☐ Medium ☐ Low	☐ Job shadow ☐ Guided repair ☐ Independent with job plan	☐
☐ High ☐ Medium ☐ Low	☐ Job shadow ☐ Guided repair ☐ Independent with job plan	☐

Risk rating guidance:

High: Asset is critical (production-stopping failure or safety exposure), failure mode is foreseeable, and gap creates night/weekend coverage risk.
Medium: Asset is important but not single-point, or gap only affects one shift.
Low: Asset is non-critical or multiple substitutable skills exist.

Address High-risk gaps first, before the next shift rotation.

PART 3 — Development Log

Record every cross-training event. This is the evidence that the matrix is being maintained, not just declared.

Event Type	Outcome	Matrix Updated?
☐ Shadowed ☐ Guided ☐ Independent	☐ Passed — upgrade to ✓ ☐ Needs more reps — stay at G ☐ Not ready — stay at —	☐
☐ Shadowed ☐ Guided ☐ Independent	☐ Passed ☐ Needs more reps ☐ Not ready	☐
☐ Shadowed ☐ Guided ☐ Independent	☐ Passed ☐ Needs more reps ☐ Not ready	☐
☐ Shadowed ☐ Guided ☐ Independent	☐ Passed ☐ Needs more reps ☐ Not ready	☐
☐ Shadowed ☐ Guided ☐ Independent	☐ Passed ☐ Needs more reps ☐ Not ready	☐
☐ Shadowed ☐ Guided ☐ Independent	☐ Passed ☐ Needs more reps ☐ Not ready	☐
☐ Shadowed ☐ Guided ☐ Independent	☐ Passed ☐ Needs more reps ☐ Not ready	☐
☐ Shadowed ☐ Guided ☐ Independent	☐ Passed ☐ Needs more reps ☐ Not ready	☐

Training is complete when: the technician executes the task independently using the job plan, with the trainer present but not directing. Shadow events alone do not upgrade the matrix rating.

PART 4 — Quarterly Review Checklist

Run this review every 90 days. Takes 20 minutes.

Matrix reviewed against current crew roster — any new hires or transfers reflected
Any ✓ entries that should be downgraded (e.g., technician hasn't performed this task in 12+ months)
New critical tasks or equipment added since last review
High-risk coverage gaps from last quarter: closed or escalated to manager
Cross-training events from the last 90 days logged in Part 3
One cross-training goal set for next 90 days and assigned to a specific trainer and date

Manager review completed by: _______________________ Date: _______________________

How to Read This Matrix in 60 Seconds

Any column with fewer than two ✓ marks is a coverage gap. Any row with no ✓ marks at all describes a technician who has not been developed for any critical task — investigate whether this is intentional (specialization) or an oversight.

The matrix is healthy when: every critical task has at least two ✓ marks per shift, the G marks are moving toward ✓ over time, and the — marks are being addressed in order of risk.

From Fix the System by Ivan Getov. Companion to Chapter 27: The Supervisor's Job. getov.xyz/toolkit/fix-the-system/ch27/crew-skills-matrix. Free. No email required.

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