The Assessment Architect: Engineering Evaluations for Expert-Level Mastery
This article is based on the latest industry practices and data, last updated in April 2026. In my 15 years as an assessment architect, I've discovered that most evaluation systems fail experts because they measure knowledge rather than mastery. The distinction is crucial: knowledge can be memorized, while mastery manifests in complex, adaptive problem-solving. I've designed assessments for organizations ranging from Google's engineering teams to medical residency programs, and I've consistently