In 2018, CircleCI embarked on a comprehensive redesign of its competency matrix to provide a clearer career growth path for its engineers, addressing the outdated framework that failed to align with the organization’s evolved values. This process, which took about eight months, involved significant collaboration and introspection to ensure the new matrix was both reflective of the company's core values and practical for evaluating performance and planning growth. The redesign aimed to balance current organizational standards with aspirational goals and involved defining competencies across different engineering levels. Key to the process was assigning the project as a priority to a dedicated leader, aligning stakeholders on the goals, and incorporating feedback from those affected by the changes. The matrix was not only intended to streamline internal growth but also to enhance hiring processes and external communication. Despite the challenges, the effort resulted in a framework that encourages continual feedback and iterative improvement, underscoring the importance of a well-structured career development path in nurturing employee growth.