The ACSF recognises that an individual may be operating across different levels within a core skill, demonstrating some Performance Features across two or more levels, or performing more strongly in one Domain of Communication than in another. It is also likely that an individual will not perform at the same ACSF level across all five core skills. This can be captured visually in what is called a 'spiky profile' (Bateson 2001).

Using the ACSF, an individual's performance across the five core skills can be benchmarked and a spiky profile constructed. This provides valuable information about an individual's areas of strength and specifically identifies any areas where further training could be beneficial.The following scenarios illustrate three different spiky profiles.

• Scenario 1 - Helping meet the core skill requirements of a new job
• Scenario 2 - Pinpointing strengths and learning needs
• Scenario 3 - Helping a person meet the core skills requirements of a training program