Simplifying Selection and Improving Allocation

The Approach

The consultant team analysed the contribution of selection components by analysing how the previous years’ results would have changed had they been omitted singly or in combination.

They used data on a selection of best and worst-performing candidates to assess the predictive power of the different assessment activities.

They recognised the matching candidates to posts as an example of the Assignment Problem and after reviewing the literature decided to approach it using the Hungarian Method.

An Excel-based prototype was developed using VBA to produce initial allocations.

“Dedicated volunteers committed to the project added great value for data/insight-driven decisions”

The Client

Charityworks runs a one-year graduate development programme in the third sector.

The Client's Problem

Charityworks wanted to learn how they could streamline their selection and matching processes to make them more efficient and effective as they scaled the programme up.

The Solution

• We analysed the components of the selection process to show which ones were contributing to whether candidates passed the selection
• We also showed which ones were better predictors of performance in post
• We developed a prototype spreadsheet-based model to allocate candidates to posts

The Benefits

• Charityworks decided to dispense with their second stage assessment centre
• Charityworks were able to make more data-driven decisions about the remaining assessment activities
• We learned about a classic OR problem in a different setting and did some fairly intensive coding
• Charityworks are planning to take on a MSc student to carry the work on, so spreading awareness of OR

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