European Colleges Agree On Common Job Evaluation Model
Developed in the early 1990’s, Pilat’s GaugeTM computerized job evaluation system brings the benefits of technology to the process of job evaluation. Compared to traditional committee based evaluation processes, GaugeTM improves the consistency of decision making, reduces the time and hence cost of the process, and by providing a transparent scoring process reduces the number of appeals.
A large network of colleges in Europe adopted a common job evaluation model. The challenge was to find a way to enable colleges to apply this model to their jobs. Resources (money and time) did not support a conventional process using trained panels of job evaluators. The colleges searched for a solution and chose Pilat’s GaugeTM computerized job evaluation system.
A GaugeTM evaluation typically takes between 45-60 minutes; it is normal to be conducted at a PC by a team of three people:
- One (or more) jobholders
- One (or more) managers of the jobholder(s)
- Possibly (but not always necessary), an analyst
In committee-based processes the evaluation panel considers information/evidence from the job description and fits this to factor level definitions – determining the most appropriate level on each factor. The process followed is basically to say ‘If the jobholder does X they must be at least a level 4 but if they do not do Y they cannot be a level 6.’ Further questions would determine if level 4 or level 5 is the most appropriate level.
With GaugeTM the logic behind the evaluation panel deliberations are captured in the system in a set of questions that are logically inter-related. Allowable responses to each question are pre-set, as are the conclusions the panel would have drawn from each response and the most relevant follow-up question. Once GaugeTM has sufficient information to determine the correct level on a factor, the questioning moves on the next factor.
Once the questioning is complete, a Job Overview is computer generated. This text document describes the demands made on the jobholder on a factor-by-factor basis. If a jobholder reads this Job Overview and agrees with the description given, the evaluation is concluded. If some of the description is not accurate, that part of the evaluation is re-visited and the questions and answers reviewed to see if a more appropriate set of responses could be provided.
GaugeTM now enables each participating college to rapidly, cost effectively, and reliably evaluate its jobs using the factor model shared with the other colleges. Minimal training was required (typically now more than a day for an internal administrator).
GaugeTM has a long pedigree and is respected even in highly unionized and government environments. In 1998, it was selected to computerize the national job evaluation scheme for local government in England and Wales. Well over 200 organisations use GaugeTM, many with their own in-house factor plans.
For organisations with well-developed Job Evaluation factor plans, GaugeTM offers a cost effective and easy to use means of implementation. Pilat also offers extensive training and support in the development of Job Evaluation factor plans.
