Career Ladder (Career Framework)
What is a Career Ladder? Career Progression Framework Explained
A career ladder is a documented progression structure showing what levels exist, what each requires, and what it takes to move up. It defines levels (IC1-IC6, M1-M4), competencies at each level, and the compensation band for each.
Career ladders matter because "I don't see a path forward" consistently ranks among the top 3 attrition drivers. A clear ladder addresses this directly and enables pay transparency: employees see their level, the band, and what it takes to advance.
Building one requires collaboration between HR, leadership, and functional experts. Levels need to be meaningful (not just years of experience) and promotion criteria specific enough to guide decisions consistently.