Theory | The Work Improvement Navigator is an analysis tool that has been developed specially for use in business, and allows better understanding of behaviour at work and motivation. The WIN is based on a theory called “The Bochum Inventory for profession-related Personality description (BIP)” which was developed over a period of 3 years by Ruediger Hossiep and Michael Pachen, and was first published in 1998.

The Bochum Inventory for profession-related Personality description (BIP) is deduction based, i.e. in a first step, relevant literature and psychological studies were used to pre-define scales that seemed relevant to the topic. These were then optimised by factor-analysis. The results of these studies and questionnaires formed the basis of the test dimensions which include items such as SELF-CONFIDENCE and TEAM-ORIENTATION etc. These dimensions were then given to specialists for testing in a practical environment.

In the next step the content of the dimensions was described in detail and these descriptions were used to set up a pool of 315 items/questions, which were again presented to diagnosis specialists for further evaluation. The resulting first version of the BIP was tested on 456 students. The outcome was reviewed statistically, and was then tested again on a sample of 1142 students. These results underwent renewed statistical evaluation and the number of test items was reduced to 264, which were then used for an initial, comprehensive data mining. The findings were incorporated in the first published version of the BIP in 1998. In total, the BIP has been tested on 5354 people.

Application | The WIN is particularly useful for decisions on employee development & promotion, and in defining the potential of employees during recruitment and assessment processes. However, the WIN can also be used in coaching processes, in the promotion of young professionals, and in career counselling. The test takes about 45 minutes to complete.

Concept | The WIN has been developed specifically for use in a business environment and has been aligned with other existing psychometric processes by comparative analyses. The WIN is therefore oriented to the normative recording of specific behavioural patterns that are relevant to successful daily professional work. The test permits a differentiated analysis of a candidate’s personality and social characteristics and, at the same time, supplies information about the motivational aspects of his/her behaviour. A total of 14 behavioural criteria, such as WILLINGNESS TO CHANGE, EMPATHY or MOTIVATION TO SHAPE are identified with 200 questions and are presented in a bar-profile. The definitions of the 14 behavioural criteria are completely focused on business practice and allow a rapid, precise evaluation of a candidate’s suitability for specific functions.

Evaluation | The WIN is evaluated in a clear and structured profile, in which specific information about a candidate’s personal work attitude and his/her social skills is made available. In addition, the profile shows a candidate’s degree of personal commitment, his/her willingness to change and his/her ability to be motivated. A candidate’s profile can also be compared with the average profile of a target group and deviations from the standard can be analysed.