Hubert Annen
Abstract
Following its statutes, the association Swiss Assessment is committed to ensuring that the selection and personnel development procedures known as assessment centres (ACs) are oriented toward the scientifically recognised quality standards of the AC method. Consequently, its members commit themselves to carefully implementing, developing, and evaluating ACs. To lend binding force and emphasis to the association's purpose both internally and externally, Swiss Assessment developed a certification procedure that came into force in 2012. Within the framework of a document analysis and an audit, the provider of AC services proves that the standards are being followed. The certification procedures with internal or external AC providers bring specific aspects relevant to this topic to light. Quality criteria such as AC design, assessor training, assessment process, infrastructure, and customer satisfaction are usually not too challenging. However, a considerable additional effort has to be made in the evaluation. Establishing predictive validity is not standard behaviour. There are also significant hurdles to overcome in psychological testing procedures. Here, instruments are still used that do not meet scientific requirements. With the AC quality label, Swiss Assessment makes a tangible contribution to ensuring that personnel selection and assessment of potential are not left to chance in personnel development. Certified AC providers thus strengthen their (market) position, and customers of AC services are generally assured that they are using a procedure that meets the quality standards.
Keywords: Assessment Center; Quality standards; quality management; certification procedure; quality label