Supervisory Simulator (SupSim)

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WHAT IS THE SUPSIM?
The SupSim is a lower-level version of the General Management In-Basket (GMIB), designed specifically to identify those who have the skills needed to be successful in first-level supervisory positions. For Team Leaders who are not officially supervisors, there is an alternate form known as the Team Leader Simulator. The SupSim (and/or Team Leader Simulator) places assessees in a hypothetical organization in charge of a work team to determine how they would handle problems that confront the team. Proper handling of these problems is critical to building a motivated, empowered work team. The SupSim is designed to help organizations select leaders who can be effective in today's flatter, less hierarchical organizations. The team leader or first-level supervisor is the individual most responsible for empowering team members, leading to improved quality and productivity. This individual must be able to:

>>>>• Motivate team members to make good decisions that serve the team
>>>>• Hold team members accountable while maintaining high morale
>>>>• Resolve conflict among team members in a way that builds teamwork
>>>>• Establish expectations for mature behavior and continual improvement
>>>>• Keep team members focused on what's best for the organization
>>>>• Encourage new ideas and improved methods

POSITIONS USED FOR?
The SupSim is used for any first-level supervisor, team leader, or foreperson position. There are separate private and public sector forms of the test. The most commonly used versions are "Blue Collar" and "Clerical." Specialized versions are recommended for some industries or occupational groups.

SUPSIM USED FOR:
>>>• Blue Collar: Supervisor (or alternate form for Team Leader)
>>>• Clerical: Supervisor (or alternate form for Team Leader)
>>>• Transit: Supervisor (or alternate form for Team Leader)
>>>• Corrections: Sergeant
>>>• Fire: Lieutenant and Captain versions
>>>• Police: Corporal and Sergeant versions
>>>• Probation: Unit Supervisor

TEST FORMAT
The SupSim consists of five realistic problem situations involving members of the work team. Each problem is one that is commonly encountered by first-level supervisors, forepersons, or team leaders. Candidates must respond in narrative fashion to questions that are posed about each situation, indicating what they would do or say. Test time is 75 minutes. The Supsim is available online or in booklet format.

SUPSIM NATIONAL DATA BASE
The SupSim is the only first-level supervisory assessment exercise for which there is a national data base. The national data base permits you to compare your candidates for team leader, foreperson, or first-level supervisory jobs to thousands of candidates and incumbents across the country. Does the candidate have above average or below average leadership and decision making skills? Above average or below average team relations skills? These are the areas that make a difference -- and the SupSim answers these questions.

SCORING AND REPORTING OF RESULTS
The SupSim has explicit scoring criteria for each problem. At MPS, our highly trained raters do all of the scoring for you. Results are supplied via email in pdf format. The results show you how well your candidates scored relative to the national norms.

SUPSIM CAREER DEVELOPMENT REPORTS
Career development (feedback) reports are supplied for each candidate tested. These reports describe and evaluate the assessee's performance within the factors measured by the SupSim. In addition, they: (1) identify developmental areas that should be targeted for improvement; and (2) establish specific learning objectives.

SOME SUPSIM ISSUES
>>>• Decision-Making: When and how to involve others
>>>• Leadership: Employee motivation and morale, team building
>>>• Conflict Resolution: Resolving disagreements among subordinates
>>>• Productivity and quality: Keeping focused on what counts