[Blackstrat]

The best company I ever worked for had a very well defined career framework. Salary ranges were defined. Skill and experience requirements were defined for each promotion level. How education layered in with experience was well defined. Decision points were defined for things like applications path vs. systems, as well as technical vs. management. Morale was sky high. The worst? No framework and promotions were ad hoc and discretionary as were salaries.