Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics (KSAOs)

KSAOs are assessment tools developed to match job or promotion requirements. KSAO stands for knowledge, skills, ability, and other characteristics. Knowledge refers to information required to perform a job. A skill involves using, handling, or affecting something or someone. Ability is similar to skills, but it's a capacity to do something, which may be part of a skill set if the person can demonstrate it reliably. Other characteristics are attributes that don't fit the other groups.