Continuing our series looking at coaching tools and techniques, Coaching at Work road-tests Team Profile Analyzer
1 The tool
What is it?
Team Profile Analyzer (TPA) is a powerful software application for group level analysis and visualisation of assessment data. Scores on assessment variables such as personality scales (eg, the ‘big five’ factors of: extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, openness and emotional stability), aptitude tests, assessment and development centre data, 360-degree feedback and performance data (especially KPIs), are entered through a spreadsheet-like interface.
Selected variables are used to calculate the similarity between individuals to place them on a topographical map. Differences can be explored across all variables and for each one. The ‘Sociomap’ viewer allows users to ‘fly’ through a 3D space, enabling an exhilarating exploration of differences in a group of individuals.
The reporting module calculates descriptive variables and significance levels, and saves statistical and graphical outputs in common file formats to a very high finish. The report can be easily edited, or presented interactively through the user interface.
How does it work?
At the heart of the system are sophisticated algorithms that Dr Radvan Bahbouh, director of the QED Group, Prague has been developing since 1993. According to the QED website: “Sociomapping is based on the theory of fuzzy sets, mathematical topology and pattern recognition.” In short, complex equations are used ‘behind the scenes’ to place individuals on a map that visually represents their similarity, and expresses their scores through a ‘weather report’ colour scheme ranging from blue (low) green (moderate) to red (high).
The tools were originally developed to support scientific experiments (eg, recently for the ‘MARS 500’ long-term space flight simulation), and are now used widely to support assessment and coaching interventions at work.
Coaches can enter results on their favourite assessment tools into TPA and instantly access a holistic view of a group of clients based on the constructs measured. The tool supports team coaching by illustrating and quantitatively describing the social context of the individuals.
www.sociomap.co.uk/team-profile-analyzer.html
2 The administrator
Using the tool
Whenever groups are involved, the challenge of group data aggregation and interpretation arises. Today, this often requires extraction of data from online platforms, data preparation in Excel, running SPSS syntax, pasting outputs into documents and drafting text that captures and interprets the group trends and dynamics.
TPA promises an effective alternative to this lengthy process. Within two hours I downloaded the free trial software, entered data into the Excel spreadsheet-like interface and conducted analysis for two groups.
For my first case study I entered the cluster scores on the Saville Consulting Wave online questionnaire cluster scores of 16 elite performers featured in the book, Talent, (Saville & Hopton, 2009) in order to see communalities and differences.
Transformational inclinations are measured in Wave though Influencing People and Adapting Approaches, while Transactional inclinations are measured through Solving Problems and Delivering Results clusters.
Figure 1 shows where the 16 individuals fall on the map in terms of similarity, and also indicates their scores on the Transformer scale.
Many elite performers show transformational inclinations (red areas), although intellectuals such as Nobel price winner Ronald Stouffer and maverick footballer Stan Bowles score low (blue areas).
My second case study put a management team ‘on the map’.
Figure 2 shows the Sociomap for the team showing the high degree of similarity of the chairman and MD – members of the same family – and also of holders of key organisational functions. R&D and IT directors are relatively distant, reflecting their somewhat detached Thinker-Influencer Wave type. The sales director position is unique – driven by a highly transformational style coupled with low scores on dependability related scales.
My first coaching assignment use of TPA was with an e-commerce start-up company experiencing the pressures of rapid growth. I entered Swift Executive Aptitude Stens covering verbal, numerical and abstract abilities, 12 Wave Focus styles section scores and three Performance 360 overall scores.
Figure 3 illustrates the composition of the team, with the visual including a commercial director due to join – with characteristics very similar to the CEO.
Team coaching is an exciting new trend in coaching psychology that puts the intervention in the cultural context of the client. TPA is a powerful tool for illustrating and documenting the role of each individual in that context.
Dr Rainer Kurz is a director at Saville Consulting
rainer.kurz@savilleconsulting.com
3 The client
The experience
I was intrigued and impressed by the visualisation of my team. The similarity chart revealed the ‘psychometric DNA’ of the company. Discussion of individual and TPA results quickly led to a re-organisation that relieved some of the pressures by creating a closer fit between individuals and responsibilities. The dynamic line graph comparisons illustrated to all stakeholders the collective strengths and limitations that make up the ‘culture’ of the company. This was handy when employing further staff.
The verdict
The coaching intervention was hugely assisted by use of the TPA tool, which helped key stakeholders grasp the issues at hand. An understanding of the team dynamics helped us shape and foster continued growth of the business. I have recommended such an intervention to several business associates.
Chris Newson is chief executive of Acumen PI, the owner of The Student Room, the UK’s largest student community website
The pros and cons of Team Profile Analyzer
UPSIDE
- Intuitive operation (spreadsheet-like) and outcomes
- Flexible definition of variables
- ‘Temperature’ analogy works well
- Similarity algorithm constructs unique 2D topography
- Copes well with up to 12 variables
- Facility to create edible reports with visuals and analysis
DOWNSIDE
- Computer novices may take longer
- Group level interpretation rests on quality of assessment tool, and user’s interpretation may clash with Red-Amber-Green evaluation
- No way to fix x and y axis, eg, for Wave Transformer and Transactor
- Must use survey version of software if variables exceed 20
- No facility to automatically ‘tone down’ statistical coverage
Figure 1. Talent Book Wave ‘Transformer’ TPA Graph
Figure 2. Management Team ‘Sociomap’ showing ‘Profile Similarity’
Figure 3. Team Profile Analyzer Profile Similarity and Group Profile Comparison
Coaching at Work, Volume 6, Issue 3