Assessment based on the Stratified Systems Theory (Elliot Jaques, 1989)
We believe that the future of organisations may lie in the understanding of Elliot Jaques’ Stratified Systems Theory. When we assess employees (internal or external) we assess their “work level”. For this we use either the Cognitive Process Profile (CPP) or the Cognitive and Potential Assessment (COPAS).
Why?
According to Jaques managers need to grow and develop new skills as the business evolve and change within an unpredictable work environment. He bases his theory on the fact that the manager needs to adapt and assimilate new skills and knowledge. But this depends on the individuals’ potential and cognitive ability to do so.
The Individual within the organisation:
What Jaques further suggests is that the structure of the organisation directly impacts the overall effectiveness and ultimately the success of the organisation. Therefore, he proposes that work is defined in seven strata based on decision-making complexity. This means that complexity of work increases as the individual moves up the hierarchy of the organisation, which pose new conceptual challenges for decision making.
It makes sense then that individuals on higher levels in the organisation requires greater cognitive skills than those on lower levels.
Firstly, what are cognitive skills?
So, what do we mean when we say cognitive skills? This includes:
- Analytical ability
- Logical thinking
- Concept formation
- Inductive and deductive reasoning
- More evidence indicate that conceptual ability may be linked to managerial effectiveness
So now what?
Now that we know what the skills is that we are looking for, we want to know where the employee falls on the “work level”. For an executive level employee, we would need them to have a higher cognitive function and ability to adapt in order to make quick and accurate decisions. For lower level employees, a lower score on this scale is more acceptable. The great thing, however, is that we can identify someone in a lower level position that could be utilised on a much higher position.
