Conduct a “role-sizing” to match responsibilities to titles and compensation levels

A law department of nearly 100 lawyers that I have worked with introduced an interesting concept to me: “role sizing.” Since I know nothing more than that fact, let me speculate what role sizing entails.

To role size might be to match the presumed scope of responsibility and expertise of a position to the ckills and abilities of the person holding that position. Imagine overlaying on the demands of a position a shape of the abilities of the incumbent. Some parts stick out – too hard for the person – while others are more than covered by the person – too easy for the person. Role sizing feels like a gedanken (thought experiment) unless you are prepared to act on the conclusions.