How It Works

A Legacy of Learning
When Roger Birkman created The Birkman Method® and first opened the doors of Birkman & Associates in 1951, he began a process that would make positive and significant changes in people's lives. The instrument he developed has impacted individuals, teams and organizations around the world. Ever fascinated by the cutting edge of innovation, Dr. Birkman was one of the pioneers in using computer technology as early as the 1960s. Currently, over 2,000 consultants and 1,000 companies use the Web to conveniently access their Birkman data from anywhere on the planet.

Empirically-driven
The Birkman was created using normal working populations of people in a business or industrial setting with questions derived from research and other widely used personality tests. The questionnaire underwent seven revisions throughout the creation process, with each revision administered to more than 1,000 subjects from new population groups each time. Birkman's test-retest reliabilities average .78, indicating internal consistency of scales.

Redefining the Concept of Self
The Birkman Method® generates a human capital spreadsheet to reveal key strengths and motivations. In about 45 minutes online, a respondent answers 125 True/False questions about self and 125 True/False questions about most people. Through a process of regression and factor analysis, the Birkman identifies a person's everyday interpersonal style, underlying motivations, expectations and the signs of stress behaviour.

Measuring Interests
Interests are powerful magnets and serve as primary drivers to behavioural and occupational preferences. They are measured by asking the respondent to select occupations from a list based on the premise that all the jobs pay equally and talent/skills are not an issue.

An Integrated Instrument
By combining behaviours and interests, Birkman measures – with only one questionnaire – a breadth and depth of information that typically requires several instruments. Combined with a vast, centralized database, we've examined careers in all corners of the world and have determined characteristics of success for a large number of occupations.

Providing a Variety of Reports
Completed over the Web, the questionnaire is available in multiple languages, from which results can be presented in over 40 different reports. Reports are generated based on a company's or an individual's needs and can be sent electronically to qualified users directly. Administration and access is controlled through BirkmanDirect® , the online system for questionnaire, report, and data management. The Birkman systems are maintained within a biometrically secure facility with several levels of redundancy for reliability. This system reliability provides a high level of confidence that The Birkman Method is available 24/7 from any location with access to the Internet.