Simulation for the Identification of Management Potential (762)

This assessment is used to provide the participant with an evaluation of their developmental leadership needs, based on the Key Leadership Competencies profile. It is designed to assess potential at a manager level.

Assessment tools

The assessment is a simulation that takes place in a fictional organization. It will put you in a hypothetical situation where you will assume the responsibilities of a manager and engage in work-related issues and challenges.

The assessment consists of 3 types of exercises: an oral presentation, a role play and a question period. All exercises take place in the fictional work environment.

The assessment is conducted virtually on Microsoft Teams.

The assessment committee includes an assessment specialist from the Public Service Commission of Canada and a second assessor.

Assessment process

The assessment process lasts 4 hours and 50 minutes, which includes preparation time and breaks.

Before your assessment day, you’ll receive guidelines describing each assessment phase. On the day of your assessment, you’ll receive detailed instructions about each exercise.

1. Oral presentation

You’ll have 2 hours to review the background information and the simulation items and prepare for this exercise. The background information will present the mandate, structure and organizational charts of the fictional organization and describe your role as a manager. The simulation items describe issues and challenges that require your attention and action.

Your task will be to present an analysis of the fictional work situation by identifying and describing the priority issues, sharing your proposed recommendations and planned actions as well as the rationale for your decisions.

The oral presentation will last a maximum of 20 minutes.

2. Role play

You’ll have 15 minutes to review the instructions and any relevant elements of the simulation content and prepare for this exercise.

Your task in the role play will be to interact with a member of the assessment committee on issues related to a hypothetical situation.

The role play will last a maximum of 15 minutes.

3. Question period

You’ll have 25 minutes to review the instructions and the questions and prepare for this exercise.

Your task will be to respond orally to a set of questions related to the fictional work situation.

The question period will last a maximum of 25 minutes.

Create vision and strategy

Leaders define the future and chart a path forward. They are adept at understanding and communicating context, factoring in the economic, social and political environment. Intellectually agile, they leverage their deep and broad knowledge, build on diverse ideas and perspectives and create consensus around compelling visions. Leaders balance organizational and government-wide priorities and improve outcomes for Canada and Canadians.

Mobilize people

Leaders inspire and motivate the people they lead. They manage performance, provide constructive and respectful feedback to encourage and enable performance excellence. They lead by example, setting goals for themselves that are more demanding than those that they set for others.

Uphold integrity and respect

Leaders exemplify ethical practices, professionalism and personal integrity. They create respectful and trusting work environments where sound advice is valued. They encourage the expression of diverse opinions and perspectives, while fostering collegiality. Leaders are self-aware and seek out opportunities for personal growth.

Collaborate with partners and stakeholders

Leaders are deliberate and resourceful about seeking the widest possible spectrum of perspectives. They demonstrate openness and flexibility to forge consensus and improve outcomes. They bring a whole-of-government perspective to their interactions. In negotiating solutions, they are open to alternatives and skillful at managing expectations. Leaders share recognition with their teams and partners.

Promote innovation and guide change

Leaders have the courage and resilience to challenge convention. They create an environment that supports bold thinking, experimentation and intelligent risk taking. They use setbacks as a valuable source of insight and learning. Leaders take change in their stride, aligning and adjusting milestones and targets to maintain forward momentum.

Achieve results

Leaders mobilize and manage resources to deliver on the priorities of the Government, improve outcomes and add value. They consider context, risks and business intelligence to support high-quality and timely decisions. They anticipate, plan, monitor progress and adjust as needed. Leaders take personal responsibility for their actions and outcomes of their decisions.

The assessment committee assesses the participant on the competencies. Ratings are made using a 7-point scale.

We want to make sure you have the support you need to fully demonstrate your abilities.

Accommodation measures during an assessment can be tailored to each situation. They can include working with sign language interpreters or reader services, and using alternative formats, technical support or attendant services.

If you think that accommodation measures could make this assessment more accessible to you, please notify the person in charge of the assessment process as soon as possible.

Learn more about testing accommodation measures.

The Simulation for the Identification of Management Potential requires no specialized or technical training, knowledge or experience, so you cannot study for it directly.

You’ll be invited to take part in an orientation session ahead of the assessment date to help you understand expectations and prepare. You’ll also receive written guidelines in advance of your assessment date.

You’ll need access to a reliable internet connection and a computer with a functional webcam. You’ll also need a space for the assessment. If these are not available, other options are possible. For example, you could work out of a government office.

• Have one piece of identification that includes your signature and photo, and if you’re a public servant, also have your Personal Record Identifier (PRI)
• Ensure you’ll be alone in a closed room for 4 hours and 50 minutes without interruption
• Ensure your connection to the network is reliable
• Ensure you have direct access to your email on the day of the assessment to receive the material
• During the assessment, use wired headphones to eliminate background noise
• You are not allowed to access any additional files on your computer or information on the internet, and you are not allowed to use artificial intelligence tools/software

Personal information is used to provide assessment services to clients of the Personnel Psychology Centre. It is collected for staffing-related purposes, in accordance with sections 11, 30 and 36 of the Public Service Employment Act. For departments and agencies not subject to this act, personal information is collected under the authority of that department or agency’s enabling statute and section 35 of the Public Service Employment Act. Second language evaluation results will be disclosed to authorized departmental officials. Results of all other tests will be disclosed only to the requesting department or agency. Test results may be disclosed to the Investigations Directorate of the Public Service Commission of Canada if an investigation is conducted pursuant to section 66 or 69 of the Public Service Employment Act. Your information may also be used for statistical and analytical research purposes. In some cases, information may be disclosed without your consent, pursuant to subsection 8(2) of the Privacy Act. Providing your personal information is voluntary, but if you choose not to provide your information, you may not be able to receive Personnel Psychology Centre services.

The information is collected and used as described in the Personnel Psychology Centre’s (PSC PCU 025) Personal Information Bank.

You have the right to access and correct your personal information, and to request corrections where you believe there is an error or omission. You also have the right to file a complaint to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada about the handling of your personal information.