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Technical Knowledge and Capability Survey
Provide responses across role background, training needs, technical skills, knowledge gaps, documentation/process improvement, and priorities for capability-building investments. This survey is anonymous unless you self identify.
Respondent Background
Your background helps qualify the rest of your survey answers relative to your role and time with the company.
Lab Type Function
Please Select
Ecoat
Liquid
Powder
Quality
Application
Other
Region
APAC
EMEAI
LATAM
South America
USCA
Years of service with Sherwin-Williams
Please Select
Less than 1 year
1-3 years
4-7 years
8-15 years
More than 15 years
How frequently does your current role involve developing, modifying, or troubleshooting formulations?
Please Select
Frequently
Occasionally
Rarely
Not currently, but I expect to in the future
Not part of my role
Formulation Capability Needs
Think about the technical and formulation challenges you encounter and what would help you approach them with greater confidence, independence, and effectiveness. This is not an evaluation of your performance. Your responses will help identify the most valuable opportunities for Technical learning and development that you can apply to your daily roles.
Based on the formulation work you currently perform or expect to perform in your role, which areas would most help you continue building your capability? (Select up to 3)
I need a stronger foundation in coatings chemistry and formulation principles.
I need deeper knowledge of the product technologies I formulate.
I need a deeper understanding of raw-material functions, selection, interactions, and use levels.
I need more guided experience applying formulation knowledge to real problems.
I need a more systematic method for developing and optimizing formulations.
I need stronger skills in interpreting results and determining the next experiment.
I need stronger troubleshooting and root cause analysis skills.
I need more experience connecting formulation choices to application and final performance.
I need stronger scale-up and manufacturing implementation skills.
I need better access to experienced formulators for coaching or consultation.
I need clearer formulation procedures, decision guides, or standard approaches.
I need more time or opportunities to practice and develop these capabilities.
Other
More Details on Formulation Capability Needs
In which product categories would addressing this need most improve your formulation effectiveness?
Alkyds
Acrylics
Epoxy
FEVE
Hybrid
Polyester TGIC
Polyester TGIC-Free
Primers
Urethane
Water Based
Other
Which raw-material categories are most relevant to this development need?
Resins / Binders
Crosslinkers / Hardeners / Curing Agents
Catalysts / Driers
Pigments
Extenders / Fillers
Solvents
Additives
Specialty Materials
Other
Specific topics within the resin / binder category that would be most valuable to learn
Specific topics within the crosslinkers / hardeners / curing agents category that would be most valuable to learn
Specific topics within the catalysts / driers category that would be most valuable to learn
Specific topics within the pigments category that would be most valuable to learn
Specific topics within the extenders / fillers category that would be most valuable to learn
Specific topics within the solvents category that would be most valuable to learn
Specific topics within the additives category that would be most valuable to learn
Specific topics within the specialty materials category that would be most valuable to learn
Specific topics within your Other raw material category that would be most valuable to learn
Specific topics within the alkyd product category that would be most valuable to learn
Specific topics within the epoxy product category that would be most valuable to learn
Specific topics within the FEVE product category that would be most valuable to learn
Specific topics within the hybrid product category that would be most valuable to learn
Specific topics within the Polyester TGIC product category that would be most valuable to learn
Specific topics within the Polyester TGIC-Free product category that would be most valuable to learn
Specific topics within the Primer product category that would be most valuable to learn
Specific topics within the Urethane product category that would be most valuable to learn
Specific topics within the Water Based product category that would be most valuable to learn
Specific topics within the other product category that would be most valuable to learn
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Technical and Tacit Skill Development
Think about your own professional goals and the skills you want to develop in the short term.
Technical skills you would most like to develop over the next 2 years (select up to 2)
Experimental Design
Failure Analysis
Testing methods and data interpretation
Application process expertise
Customer process and equipment knowledge
Surface preparation and pretreatment
Other
Tacit skills you would most like to develop over the next 2 years (select up to 2)
Problem Solving
Project Management
Communication
Scale up and Manufacturing Troubleshooting
Leadership Skills
Competitive product knowledge
Cost and value optimization
Product selection and recommendations
Specification development and interpretation
Other
More Details on Skill Development
Current proficiency level in Experimental Design?
Please Select
I am building foundational knowledge and need guidance.
I can perform basic activities with some guidance.
I can perform routine activities independently.
I can address complex or unfamiliar work independently.
I can coach or guide others in this technical skill.
This skill is not currently part of my role.
Specific skillsets desired in Experimental Design?
Current proficiency level in failure analysis?
Please Select
I am building foundational knowledge and need guidance.
I can perform basic activities with some guidance.
I can perform routine activities independently.
I can address complex or unfamiliar work independently.
I can coach or guide others in this technical skill.
This skill is not currently part of my role.
Specific skillsets desired in failure analysis?
Current proficiency level in testing methods and data interpretation?
Please Select
I am building foundational knowledge and need guidance.
I can perform basic activities with some guidance.
I can perform routine activities independently.
I can address complex or unfamiliar work independently.
I can coach or guide others in this technical skill.
This skill is not currently part of my role.
Specific skillsets desired in testing methods and data interpretation?
Current proficiency level in the application process?
Please Select
I am building foundational knowledge and need guidance.
I can perform basic activities with some guidance.
I can perform routine activities independently.
I can address complex or unfamiliar work independently.
I can coach or guide others in this technical skill.
This skill is not currently part of my role.
Specific skillsets desired in the application process?
Current proficiency level in customer process and equipment?
Please Select
I am building foundational knowledge and need guidance.
I can perform basic activities with some guidance.
I can perform routine activities independently.
I can address complex or unfamiliar work independently.
I can coach or guide others in this technical skill.
This skill is not currently part of my role.
Specific skillsets desired in customer process and equipment?
Current proficiency level in surface preparation and pretreatment?
Please Select
I am building foundational knowledge and need guidance.
I can perform basic activities with some guidance.
I can perform routine activities independently.
I can address complex or unfamiliar work independently.
I can coach or guide others in this technical skill.
This skill is not currently part of my role.
Specific skillsets desired in surface preparation and preatreatment?
Current proficiency level in Problem Solving?
Please Select
I am beginning to develop this skill and need guidance.
I can apply this skill in familiar situations with some guidance.
I can apply this skill independently in most situations.
I can adapt this skill effectively in complex or unfamiliar situations.
I can coach or guide others in developing this skill.
This skill is not currently part of my role.
Specific skillsets desired in Problem Solving?
Current proficiency level in Project Management?
Please Select
I am beginning to develop this skill and need guidance.
I can apply this skill in familiar situations with some guidance.
I can apply this skill independently in most situations.
I can adapt this skill effectively in complex or unfamiliar situations.
I can coach or guide others in developing this skill.
This skill is not currently part of my role.
Specific skillsets desired in Project Management?
Current proficiency level in Communication?
Please Select
I am beginning to develop this skill and need guidance.
I can apply this skill in familiar situations with some guidance.
I can apply this skill independently in most situations.
I can adapt this skill effectively in complex or unfamiliar situations.
I can coach or guide others in developing this skill.
This skill is not currently part of my role.
Specific skillsets desired in Communication?
Current proficiency level in scale up and Manufacturing Troubleshooting?
Please Select
I am beginning to develop this skill and need guidance.
I can apply this skill in familiar situations with some guidance.
I can apply this skill independently in most situations.
I can adapt this skill effectively in complex or unfamiliar situations.
I can coach or guide others in developing this skill.
This skill is not currently part of my role.
Specific skillsets desired in scale up and Manufacturing Troubleshooting?
Current proficiency level in Leadership Skills?
Please Select
I am beginning to develop this skill and need guidance.
I can apply this skill in familiar situations with some guidance.
I can apply this skill independently in most situations.
I can adapt this skill effectively in complex or unfamiliar situations.
I can coach or guide others in developing this skill.
This skill is not currently part of my role.
Specific skillsets desired in Leadership Skills?
Current proficiency level in competitive product knowledge?
Please Select
I am beginning to develop this skill and need guidance.
I can apply this skill in familiar situations with some guidance.
I can apply this skill independently in most situations.
I can adapt this skill effectively in complex or unfamiliar situations.
I can coach or guide others in developing this skill.
This skill is not currently part of my role.
Specific skillsets desired in competitive product knowledge?
Current proficiency level in cost and value optimization?
Please Select
I am beginning to develop this skill and need guidance.
I can apply this skill in familiar situations with some guidance.
I can apply this skill independently in most situations.
I can adapt this skill effectively in complex or unfamiliar situations.
I can coach or guide others in developing this skill.
This skill is not currently part of my role.
Specific skillsets desired in cost and value optimization?
Current proficiency level in product selection and recommendations?
Please Select
I am beginning to develop this skill and need guidance.
I can apply this skill in familiar situations with some guidance.
I can apply this skill independently in most situations.
I can adapt this skill effectively in complex or unfamiliar situations.
I can coach or guide others in developing this skill.
This skill is not currently part of my role.
Specific skillsets desired in product selection and recommendations?
Current proficiency level in specification development and interpretation?
Please Select
I am beginning to develop this skill and need guidance.
I can apply this skill in familiar situations with some guidance.
I can apply this skill independently in most situations.
I can adapt this skill effectively in complex or unfamiliar situations.
I can coach or guide others in developing this skill.
This skill is not currently part of my role.
Specific skillsets desired in specification development and interpretation?
Current proficiency level in your Other Technical Skills selection?
Please Select
I am building foundational knowledge and need guidance.
I can perform basic activities with some guidance.
I can perform routine activities independently.
I can address complex or unfamiliar work independently.
I can coach or guide others in this technical skill.
This skill is not currently part of my role.
Specific skillsets desired in your Other Technical Skills selection?
Current proficiency level in your Other Tacit Skills selection?
Please Select
I am beginning to develop this skill and need guidance.
I can apply this skill in familiar situations with some guidance.
I can apply this skill independently in most situations.
I can adapt this skill effectively in complex or unfamiliar situations.
I can coach or guide others in developing this skill.
This skill is not currently part of my role.
Specific skillsets desired in your Other Tacit Skills selection?
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Process, Documentation, and Knowledge Transfer
Areas that would benefit most from stronger procedures, documentation, or standardization (select up to 3)
Product Development
Project Management
Laboratory Practices
Test Methods
Data Analysis
Equipment Maintenance
Manufacturing Support
Training and Onboarding
Other
More Details on Process, Documentation, and Knowledge Transfer
Primary issue for Product Development
Please Select
No documented reference or process exists
Reference or process exists but is difficult to find
Reference or process exists but is not consistently followed
Reference or process needs updating
Training on knowledge area or process is insufficient
Reference or process is too complex or over-proceduralized.
Primary issue for Project Management
Please Select
No documented process exists
Process exists but is difficult to find
Process exists but is not consistently followed
Process needs updating
Training on process is insufficient
Reference or process is too complex or over-proceduralized
Primary issue for Laboratory Practices
Please Select
No documented process exists
Process exists but is difficult to find
Process exists but is not consistently followed
Process needs updating
Training on process is insufficient
Reference or process is too complex or over-proceduralized
Primary issue for Test Methods
Please Select
No documented process exists
Process exists but is difficult to find
Process exists but is not consistently followed
Process needs updating
Training on process is insufficient
Reference or process is too complex or over-proceduralized
Primary issue for Data Analysis
Please Select
No documented process exists
Process exists but is difficult to find
Process exists but is not consistently followed
Process needs updating
Training on process is insufficient
Reference or process is too complex or over-proceduralized
Primary issue for Equipment Maintenance
Please Select
No documented process exists
Process exists but is difficult to find
Process exists but is not consistently followed
Process needs updating
Training on process is insufficient
Reference or process is too complex or over-proceduralized
Primary issue for Manufacturing Support
Please Select
No documented process exists
Process exists but is difficult to find
Process exists but is not consistently followed
Process needs updating
Training on process is insufficient
Reference or process is too complex or over-proceduralized
Primary issue for Training and Onboarding
Please Select
No documented process exists
Process exists but is difficult to find
Process exists but is not consistently followed
Process needs updating
Training on process is insufficient
Reference or process is too complex or over-proceduralized
Primary issue for Other
Please Select
No documented process exists
Process exists but is difficult to find
Process exists but is not consistently followed
Process needs updating
Training on process is insufficient
Reference or process is too complex or over-proceduralized
Examples where improved references, documentation, or standardization would significantly improve effectiveness
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Platform Improvement
Think about the broader R&D organization. What are the current opportunities to improve product platforms? Opportunities can be in regard to all platforms or a specific platform. Please list those as opportunities here and provide examples - please refrain from identifying any specific individual in your example.
What are the biggest areas for improvement on product platforms (Select up to 2)
Application Robustness
Manufacturing Issues
Performance Issues
Appearance Issues
Difficult Use Requirements
Training Burden
Missing Market Segments
Competitive Gaps
Too many variants
Off-platform products
Raw material complexity
Customer specific customization
Other
Impact example for application robustness
Impact example for manufacturing issues
Impact example for performance issues
Impact example for appearance issues
Impact example for difficult use requirements
Impact example for training burden
Impact example for missing market segments
Impact example for competitive gaps
Impact example for too many variants
Impact example for off-platform products
Impact example for raw material complexity
Impact example for customer specific customization
Impact example for your Other platform improvement opportunity
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Priority Ranking and Additional Input
Think back to all the sections above, then answer the following questions to help focus in on your highest priority areas.
Which three capability-building initiatives should receive resources first?
Any other comments that should be known when prioritizing training, knowledge-sharing, or process improvement investments
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