| | IT Consultant Skills Evaluation
 |
Author:
Bruce A. Winrow |
| Date
introduced: 1990, revised 2000 |
|
Administration
time: 3 hours |
Purpose
To evaluate technical, intellectual and
supervisory skills required for a senior level IT Consultant, Data Processing Consultant or
IT Trainer.
General
Description
This test, for which a four-page detailed evaluation report on each candidate is provided to the client, consists of
instruments measuring the following:
| sequencing key activities for planning |
| identifying errors in assigned specifications |
| solving problems in a structured and
controlled manner |
| comprehending common business procedures |
| business judgment which is designed to be a
"feel" for the generally |
| understanding of basic project management
theory |
| creating a project plan |
Positions
for which the test is appropriate
| IT Consultant |
| Data Processing Consultant |
| IT Trainer |
Job
criteria measured
| Identifying key priorities and sequencing them
properly to ensure attainment of business goals. |
| Ability to read precise system specifications
and identify errors in the application of those specifications. |
| Skill in solving complex business problems
related to computerized systems in a structured and controlled manner. |
| Ability to understand common business
practices, and ability to digest and "weed through" voluminous information to
draw conclusions. |
| Ability to apply generally accepted ideas or opinions
on desirable courses of action in business relationships. |
| Understanding of business management meant to
quickly assess systems-related problems. |
| Ability to use networking for planning,
evaluating, and controlling the progress of activities in a project environment. |
Test
administration
The test requires only clerical supervision to administer. The
timed tests must be precisely timed. The untimed tests require no supervision except to ensure that all questions are answered
Candidates should be given the tests in a relatively quiet environment. More than one person can be tested at one time.
It is important that the timed sections be timed to the second.
Sample
question (segment)
CREDIBLE CAR CORP. marketed several lines of
auto parts throughout the United States. They recently installed a new computer system -
order entry and billing. Much to everyone's embarrassment the invoices were constantly
wrong, resulting in a disastrous effect on the company's reputation for quality and
accuracy.
Mr. Jones, the
Marketing Manager, talked to the systems and operations managers about this problem.
"How could you fellows have made such a blunder?" he asked. "Didn't you
test those systems? This failure will cost us plenty."
The Systems man smiled. "It's your
mistake", he said. "Remember last year that fellow Smith, who is responsible for
customer liaison, wanted to take over some applications. He claimed that the marketing
people knew more about how consumers react to such systems than anyone. Besides, those
simple systems were very easy to buy - you could get them right off the shelf. He's your
man and this is your mistake."
If you were hired to deal with this problem,
what five key steps (ranked in priority order) would you take to ultimately rectify the
situation?
Sample Candidate Evaluation Report
Click here to view a sample detailed evaluation report.
Evaluation
The overall rating
is based on scores according to the following table:
| Score |
Rating |
Recommendation |
| 75 - 100% |
Above Average |
We strongly recommend this
individual as having the potential for a successful career as a consultant. |
| 60 - 74% |
Average |
We recommend this individual for
a career as a consultant provided further supervised training is supplied. |
| 48 - 59% |
Satisfactory |
We recommend this individual for
a career as a consultant only if highly motivated and if an intensive, well supervised
training course is available. |
| 0 - 47% |
Below Average |
We DO NOT recommend this
individual for a career as a consultant. |
Languages
published
| English |
| French |
|
