Although our competency based syllabus was cumbersome when it first came into effect, it does a lot to inform the student what is expected of them, remove variations in asessment by different instructors, protect the instructor's ass and provide measurable outcomes (provided of course the instructor bothers to fill it in).
Evidence used to measure that the student has reached the required competency in each unit are documented in the syllabus. The student signs before each major landmark (first solo, first area solo, PPL, CPL) that they have completed the training specified in the elements which are certified on the achievement record when they ahve been achieved consistantly.
I'm surprised that this idea is not adopted more widely. I know I had a similar syllabus when I did my UK AFI course years ago.
Details here
http://www.casa.gov.au/fcl/vfrday.htm