Best Practices for Interpreting Assessments

Written by Shawn Bakker

When you use assessment tools everyday it is easy to forget how intimidating they can be for clients. After answering a lot of different questions, some of which may seem odd, the client is presented with a report that describes his/her results. Since people do not complete assessments very often, the results can be difficult to understand and even more difficult to make decisions with.

Here are a few interpretation tips that can calm clients, and ensure that the results are used appropriately, especially in developmental applications.

The client is the expert. Your clients’ know themselves best, and should be asked to verify or contradict their assessment results.
Reports offer hypotheses, not revelations.
There are no ideal results. Client’s often want to know if their results are good or bad. While certain groups of people, such as managers, often share similarities, each person’s role is rather unique and as such will have unique demands. What might be a strength in one environment, could be a weakness in another.
There is good news and bad news. Most reports provide information on the client’s strengths and areas for development. Emphasize to clients that a key aspect of personal development is making the most of their strengths, and addressing areas of difficulty.
Change is the point. The reason for using these tools is to identify and pursue individual development. Therefore, frame change as something that is positive and possible. By targeting a few key areas at a time, the client will see the change as manageable.
The client makes it happen. The client is responsible for setting and pursuing the development goals.

By keeping these key principles in mind when you work with clients, you will quickly set them at ease and enable them to make the most of their assessment results.