Innovative ways to assess soft-skills: The in-basket game online experience

This research aims to investigate whether it is possible to perform an in-Basket test online with the same effect as the onsite one. The onsite in-Basket test is widely used, and many behavioral and psychological studies consider it valid. Companies and organizations perform in-Basket tests in order to map employees' soft skills (time, priority, and planning management) using it in hiring and promotion processes. During a typical working day simulation, applicants receive many interruptions (phone calls, SMS, mail, unpredictable events). They have to manage them in a limited time to set priorities and re-organize their working schedule. Although we are in a digital era, the in-Basket test is widely performed onsite with pen and paper. Is it possible to design and develop an online assessment experience ensuring the same level of effectiveness? The challenge was the digital transformation of this in-Basket test in a game-based in-Basket experience. The research team had to rethink it digitally considering both methodological and technical aspects. For this reason, the team worked closely with “Osel s.r.l.” and “Baglietto and Partners”, two companies involved in digital learning, serious game development and human resources management consultancy. This paper describes the design of a new web-based approach and the development of an HTML5 product that embeds evaluation algorithms and experience in tracking scripts. The research team is now involved in the testing phase in a Business School University in Rome involving about 500 students. The prototype of this game will be evaluated in order to assess the effectiveness of the output using the new digital approach. In addition, a satisfaction test will be administered to users in order to analyze the overall online experience.