Individual Analysis Report

The individual "I Opt"® report is based on the "I Opt" Survey. It is a tool designed to help people work together in teams, departments and other groups. It is estimates the information strategy a person uses to conduct their affairs. Its name is meant to suggest "I choose" rather than "I am." The name was derived from "Input Output Processing Template," a clear reference to information processing origins.

Report Details

"I Opt" is not a psychological test. Psychological tests always involve a bio-chemical component that give rise to the "feelings" being measured. Because there is no common denominator for individual bio-chemistry, this limits the ability to consolidate different people and to get an accurate representation of group behavior. In effect, scope of applicability has been traded for a greater depth of individual insight.

In this sense, "I Opt" is complementary to fully validated psychological tests. "I Opt" trades individual depth for a greater scope of coverage (i.e., group effects). They are not substitutes. They measure different things. However, used together "I Opt" and psychological tools can give a fuller picture of the situation being addressed.

 

How "I Opt" Works

No one has to change to work effectively in a group. People just have to be plugged in

There is no "right" or "wrong" way to process information. They all work. But they are different. Each style uses particular kinds of information, has unique methods of "processing" and produces results with particular characteristics. Every strategy is vital to any complex undertaking. However, they address different aspects of situations and can conflict.

In organization design, complementary skills and capabilities are what counts. "Teamwork" is best approached as a sociological phenomenon. No one has to change to work effectively in a group. People just have to be "plugged in" right so that their unique skills and abilities are meshed with those of others on the team. The "I Opt" individual report shows how to begin to go about doing this.

"I Opt" can also help a person identify preferences in work situations. The insights provided could help identify situations where people can make significant contributions and avoid others that are likely to frustrate them. This information can help navigate opportunities and obstacles that arise in the ordinary conduct of a working life.

This information can improve personal productivity and job satisfaction. At the same time, it increases the value of the individual to the organization of which they are a part. "I Opt" is designed to be an inherently "win-win" tool of Organizational Development and design.

Obtaining a Report

People with an internet account can access the report directly from their Internet. Turnaround time is currently under 5 minutes.

Individual instance users can obtain the report from Professional Communications Inc. (the owner of "I Opt" technology) in any manner preferred by the client (e.g., email, fax, surface mail, private courier, telephone, etc.). Turnaround time is usually less than 24 hours. Contact us for more information.

Report Contents

Report Contents

The "I Opt" Individual Report requires the completion of a 24-question Survey. This is not a test. It is the equivalent of a market research survey that asks for information processing preferences. Processing the "I Opt"™ Survey produces an 8 or 9 page, easy to read report. The contents of the report are:

 

Primary Style Identification

This is the posture most likely to be used when confronted with a decision situation. This section includes:

  1. Common Characteristics (job priority, decision horizon, approach)
  2. Typical Needs (general conditions for optimal functioning)
  3. Goal preferences/considerations
  4. Directional guidance preferences
  5. Supervision preferences
  6. Appreciation (i.e., social reward preferences)
  7. Organization (personal preferences)
  8. Details
  9. Change

Secondary Style Identification

If the primary style is inappropriate or unavailable, this is the next most likely posture to be selected. Same detail as above.

Strategic Style Distribution

This section shows the relative strength of each strategic style. Everyone has at least some level of every style. This section makes that explicit.

Learning Strategies

Each style has a distinct learning preference with its unique strengths and vulnerabilities. Making these explicit can help people understand why some things are easier to learn than others.

Working with People using Other Styles

Styles mesh with each other with varying degrees of ease. This section points out the likely outcome of working with people using different approaches.

Best Indicated Organizational Environment

Different styles will tend to flourish in different environments. This part of the report highlights those that favor the style being used.

Indicated Strengths

Every style brings with it strengths that are valuable in group situations. This section highlights those most likely to be seen in group situations.

Contributions of Others to Performance

Others also have unique things that they can contribute. This section calls out the likely contribution of people who choose to use different approaches.

Listening to People who Use Other Strategic Styles

Every style describes a different information processing approach. Thus, every style will have a "bias" toward a particular kind of information flow. This section makes the bias explicit and suggests means of managing it.

Talking to People who Use Other Strategic Styles

People not only receive information, they also send it. This information will be more easily understood and more readily accepted if it is framed in a way compatible with the natural "bias" of the receiver.

The report is written at an 8th grade reading level, is adult in tone and respectful in content. It has a 99%+ face validity and typically produces a strong "AH HA!! Yes! That's me!" response.