Purpose: The present study was conducted with the aim of designing a competency trap formation model (case study: commanders of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army).

Method: This study is applied in terms of purpose and descriptive survey in terms of nature and method. The statistical population of the study is the commanders of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army, 20 of whom were selected using purposive sampling. The data collection tool is an interview in the qualitative part and a questionnaire in the quantitative part, whose validity and reliability were confirmed using content and theoretical validity methods and intra-coder and inter-coder reliability. For data analysis in the qualitative part, the content analysis method was used using Maxqda software, and in the quantitative part, interpretive structural modeling and MATLAB software were used.

Findings: The research findings showed that the pattern of competence trap formation is in four axes: the contexts of competence trap formation, correlated and interfering factors in the formation of competence trap, dimensions of competence trap, and consequences of competence trap formation.

Conclusion: By identifying the dimensions, factors, and consequences of competence trap, this research presents a comprehensive model for understanding and managing this phenomenon among the commanders of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army. The results can be a basis for preventing and reducing the negative effects of competence trap at the command and decision-making levels.