Length of Activities: 10 minutes to 5 hours
Level: Introductory to Advanced
Participants: 4 - 8
MTa Select is a package of practical assessment tools and activities designed to become part of an integrated approach to assessment within user organisations. It is inherently flexible and offers a range of options so it can be used within a wide range of organisations, functions, career tracks and individuals.
Its practical assessment activities provide opportunities for:
- Participants to demonstrate specific skills and competencies
- Assessors to observe participants whilst they work.
MTa Select is designed to be used in conjunction with other assessment tools (e.g. structured interviews, psychometric testing).
- Adding Value
- Name Your Price
- Back to Basics
- Improving Performance
- Tunnels
- Making a Stand
- Personal Pizzas
- Just 35 minutes
Assessment centres can be stressful for candidates. Adding Value is designed to get people involved in the assessment process and help them relax as well as providing an opportunity to assess a range of qualities. Adding Value is in two parts, Part 1 sets the scene and is unobserved with 2 groups of 3 - 4 working independently. Part 2 can be run either as a single group (4 - 8) or two small groups (3 - 4) who have the opportunity to interact if they wish. There are some differences between the qualities that can be assessed by these two versions. The target qualities (mental aptitudes, behaviours and attitudes) for assessment are:
The additional target qualities for participants in the 2-group version are:
Background information Part 1 is unobserved. However whilst being an icebreaker and ‘settler’, it encourages participants to establish a pattern of working which they need to break if they are to be successful in the observed phase. In Part 2 (single group) the brief appears to be a simple continuation of the initial phase. However because of; changes to the way the groups' outputs are valued, an increase in the quantity of materials available and the increase in numbers of people interacting, the best approach is to treat the task as a completely new challenge with familiar materials. In Part 2 (two groups) there are similarly significant changes, but because the two teams have the opportunity to trade materials there is scope for individuals to demonstrate the qualities associated with inter-group working. |
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  The group has to make money by; gathering information, generating and assessing options, making and implementing decisions quickly, making best use of resources, evaluating their efforts. Planning to use time and resources effectively is paramount. Target qualities for assessment are:
Background information: A balance has to be struck between keeping costs down by taking action quickly and taking time to make sure everyone understands the brief, thinks through the problems, looks at options and finds profitable solutions, takes appropriate actions. The group needs to be aware of these potential conflicts, ideally anticipate them, and then manage the different concerns, ideas and preferences of group members. The facilitator has the option of asking two questions at the end – the subsequent discussion will give opportunities for participants to demonstrate their ability to critically review the group’s performance and their attitude to making the most of business opportunities.   |
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- Time: 10 - 15 minutes
- Participants: 4 - 8
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A short sharp activity which demands planning, organisation, quick work and coping with the unexpected, including very different views about the 'obvious'. At first sight it looks so simple, but it is so revealing!
The target qualities for assessment are:
- Approach to planning and problem solving under time pressure
- Attention to detail
- Attitudes to others
- Attitudes to quality
- Basic team skills
- Flexibility
- Initiative
- Recognising priorities
Initially the activity demands clear agreement on objectives and quality standards before planning the action and rapid, accurate work. Typically groups work well initially, but as the complexity of the task unfolds group work is often overtaken by individual actions. Group decisions have to be made about what is acceptable and what isn’t, what should be done and what should be left undone.
The activity presents a real test of individuals understanding of, and commitment to, group decisions and very quickly individuals' attitudes to detail and quality come to the fore.
With the two-team option of Back to Basics there is the additional complication that people have to decide whether to focus on their sub-group or consider the needs of the whole group.- Time: 45 minutes
- Participants: 4 - 7
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This challenging activity builds on either 'Tunnels' or 'Name Your Price'. There is nowhere to hide. Effective participants will; observe others, present open and honest views, offer personal comment and guidance, discuss sensitive issues, give and receive feedback, improve their performance there and then!
The target qualities for assessment are:
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Improving Performance is particularly demanding because the task is based on developing and exploring ideas, many of which relate to their own skills, abilities and attitudes.
Participants cannot hide behind a task so the effective use of interpersonal skills is vital. Within the task fundamental principles like clarifying objectives and planning are often forgotten: groups dive into answering the questions without considering what they are trying to achieve and how. As the discussion proceeds watch for the way people realise and manage ‘team process issues’, express and receive conflicting ideas, develop ideas that are new to them and handle giving and receiving personal feedback.
- Time: 30 - 45 minutes
- Participants: 4 - 8
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The brief is not easy to interpret. Besides having to clarify their task, participants need to display a full range of teamwork skills, particularly communicating, building on ideas and problem solving if they are to achieve their goal.
The target qualities for assessment are:
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This activity should pass through several distinct phases, so people may respond differently during each; taking a leading role, working on there own etc.
Participants will need to react to the changing needs of the task and therefore the group. The likely phases are:
- Interpreting the brief, clarifying the objective and putting together the plan of action
- Designing an appropriate tunnel system which meets the criteria
- Coping with the problems and the tensions created and consequently the need for change. It is highly unlikely that the first design will work!
- Managing the safe delivery of some tubes through the tunnels they make.
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- Time: 60 minutes
- Level: Challenging
- Participants: 4 - 8
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What are participants' real skills, interests and abilities? How can they add value to a business?
Participants have to crystallise their knowledge and understanding of themselves, link their strengths together and present their conclusions in a business context.
The target qualities for assessment are:
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Background information:
The challenge in this activity is for participants to plan how they could meld all of their personal qualities and technical knowledge together to make the best use of their combined potential.
To be effective they need to; treat each other with respect, develop an understanding of each other’s strengths and weaknesses, look constructively at how each person’s strengths can be presented in the best light, demonstrate an understanding of and creative approach to business and be honest. Alternatively they could concentrate on safe issues, and avoid discussing and developing individual differences that might help one person shine.
This task is quite a challenge in normal circumstances, but to do this whilst being observed and assessed raises the bar still further.
- Time: 4 - 5 hours
- Level: Self development only
- Participants: 3 - 8
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This self assessment and planning tool involves individual and group work. It is designed for use in Career Development Workshops, not Assessment Centres.
Aim: To examine what and who have influenced their life over the past 3 - 5 years, to consider their feelings towards the way they lead their life a the moment, and to use this thinking to shape their future.
There are several phases in this activity which can be run consecutively or split across two or more sessions.
It begins with individuals examining their life as it is now before casting back changes that have occurred in recent years. They then work in small groups to explore how, why and the consequences of the changes that have taken place: an external perspective and appropriate support can help develop understanding and clarify ideas.
Individuals then look forwards to their future, considering how it could be influenced or shaped in a positive way before testing their ideas with others and making plans for appropriate change.
- Time: 40 minutes
- Participants: 1 - 8
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Just 35 Minutes is an in-tray exercise that uses computer, 'fax' and paper. The key is to identify the big issues and avoid the detail - but it's so tempting! Participants work on Just 35 Minutes as individuals.
The target qualities for assessment are:
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Delegating tasks:
Before a task can be delegated the recipient needs to be willing and able to accept the task and understand the context.
Do participants recognise this and put time and effort into planning how they are going to delegate or do they worry about making decisions associated with these tasks?
Setting and keeping to priorities:
Participants need to get an overview of the situation before taking any action. If they do not set priorities and plan, details or incoming information may distract them. Some will make attempts to sort or prioritise the jobs before dealing with them, others will just dive in.
Basic report writing and word processing skills:
Participants have the choice of responding on paper or on a computer. There is scope to produce a well presented summary of their actions and demonstrate basic word processing skills.
Identifying where effort will add value:
Managers never have all the information available. Can participants make judgements when faced with ambiguity?
Participants have to make decisions about what to do with little information and limited time. If they see the big picture and delegate, time is not a problem. If they get into detail they may not complete the activity.
- 2 holdalls of 130 large, very robust "Select" components
- Manuals, that include:
- Comprehensive assessor's guide including suggestions for assessor training and the structure of assessment centres
- Assessor's notes for each activity including 'target qualities' to be assessment
- Documentation for observers and data evaluation
- Encapsulated participants' briefs
- Reusable worksheets for assessment and personal development.
