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SUCCESS FACTORS IN SYSTEM OPERATOR SELECTION

PSP Metrics has specialized in the assessment of candidates forsystem operator/load dispatcher positions in electric utilities andISOs/RTOs for more than 50 years. We have conducted fivelarge-scale validation studies comparing actual job performanceof hundreds of system operators to PSP test results. Consistently,PSP has found that applicants need to have a particular set ofaptitudes, interests and work behaviors in order to succeed on thejob.

While specific success factors have changed over the years, as thejob itself has changed, PSP has been able to continuously improveits accuracy rate in system operator selection. At present, webelieve that our selection program is the most accurate, thoroughand defensible one of its kind available in North America. Themethods used by PSP meet or surpass all professional andgovernmental standards for employee selection procedures.

BACKGROUNDBACKGROUNDBACKGROUNDBACKGROUNDBACKGROUND

Selecting successful system operators is more difficult than manyemployee selection problems due to three factors. First, situationsdo not repeat frequently in the control room setting. Second, it isimpossible to predict all of the problems that can arise on the job.Third, usually a relatively small number of system operators work inany one control center. In addition to these difficulties, the jobitself has a long learning curve that often involves expensive andextensive trainingprograms. Thus, ittakes a great deal oftime before a managerknows for certain if anoperator will succeed.This time period oftenexceeds 12 months.

In selecting system operators, most managers want to answer fourquestions:

❖ Can the candidate do the job?❖ Will the candidate do the job?❖ Will the candidate get along with others?❖ Is there room for the candidate to grow?

PSP’s assessment process helps to answer these importantquestions accurately and objectively, using our proprietarydatabase of successful system operators for benchmarking. Thesebenchmarks, or norms, were updated in 2003, and includeseparate standards for electric utilities and ISOs/RTOs.

CONCLUSIONSCONCLUSIONSCONCLUSIONSCONCLUSIONSCONCLUSIONS

PSP’s 2003 validation study for success factors in system operatorselection demonstrates that measurable success factors for the jobhave changed since 1994. These changes are consistent withchanges in the job itself over the years. In addition, systemoperators continue to have higher aptitude, work interests andwork behavior scores than does the general employee population.Moreover, the average test scores for system operators in 2003are higher than they were in 1994.

It is clear that it takes more to succeed as a system operator todaythan it did in 1994. This is true for both electric utilities and

ISOs/RTOs. As aconsequence, PSP’sstandards for systemoperator selection havebeen updated andrevised to reflect theaptitudes, work interestsand work behaviorsneeded for on-the-jobsuccess. Armed withthis latest research, PSPwill continue to provideobjective and accuratescreening tools for theelectric power industry.

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