ASSESSMENT CENTER

This method helps to assess the abilities that are required to undertake a specific professional activity. An ability is expressed through a series of behaviors which allow the individual to obtain results through cooperation, to face challenges, to manage complex situations, to keep interpersonal tension under control, to innovate.
The only way to assess an individual's true abilities is to observe his/her behavior either in real life or in simulated situations. The Assessment Center features simulated organizational situations which allow expert observers to detect the specific behaviors. This kind of exercise has to be as true as possible to the real working environment, so that it represents an effective stimulus for the sought after responses.

The exercises of the Assessment Center are usually created specifically to simulate one company's unique environment, in order to permit the reliable observations of a large set of abilities. There are both individual and group exercises (competitive vs. cooperative, either with set or free roles), and the simulation can concern a variety of situations, such as: problem analysis and solving; alternative options evaluation; decision making; activities organization; project planning; planning and management of negotiation; presentation of data and innovative ideas. The Assessment Center is a invaluable investment which prevent organizations from relying on incoherent, intuitive, and often inaccurate approaches to competencies evaluation.

The Assessment Center is the answer to the strategic needs of modern companies, which look to value their human resources by developing their own competencies.

The Assessment Center is recommended to:
1. assess how well different roles are structured within the organizational chart;
2. assess the possibility of an adjustment to different, more complex roles;
3. evaluate potential;
4. randomly evaluate the personnel, in order to assess the competencies that are required to face sudden and critical situations;
5. detect specific training needs;
6. assess the suitability of employees to undertake different roles within the organization;
7. carry out internal/external selection processes;
8. verify the organizational structure of the company;
9. carry out auditing duties following critical situations in the life of the company.