Live Case Testing

With a live case we can test the competences of a candidate in a situation as close as possible to reality. The answers provided by the candidate and the evaluation with him/her thereof, provide valuable information for the selection process. For example for a technical vacancy we will apply a test based on an real life engineering problem that existed in the customer’s organization, to obtain information about the candidates’ creativity, actual status of know-how and practical engineering capabilities.

For testing of soft skills and behaviour there are abundant tests available.

The case also serves as an indicator for the candidate himself to see if he/she will suit the job.

Part of the selection process

For an exclusive search and select contract the live case is a part of the contract and included in the price. For other search and select forms it is an extra option. It can also be applied as a stand-alone service.

Case 1 – ‘Lead mechanical engineer’ in-line testing

Note: these are fictional cases based on publicly available information. Usually a case is confidential in nature due to the input used.

Vacancy:

Lead mechanical engineer

Company:

Design and production of in line testing systems that test output in a manufacturing plant

Goal:

Testing analytical skills, creativity and problem solving, practical and efficient (system) design solution, quality of design sketches and communicating the system intent.

Method:

Engineering solution required.

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Situation

Philips has moved production from a low cost country back to Drachten. Assembly of electric shavers is increasingly being automated by use of robots and cobots and therfore less dependent on human input. Quality control by personnel is therefore becoming less important (also because quality of output becomes quite stable).

Product

Three headed shaver with an electric motor. The components are tested at component level (by means of QC batch testing) prior to delivery. The product is fit for use in a wet environment. A Youtube video shows the repair of a unit and gives more insight in the assembly : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=752F5QHsS_A

QUESTIONS:

1. Describe the main parts and functions of the shaver. Describe their function and how you could possibly them them on a functioning device.
2. Which functions would you test and how would you perform the test?
  How can you test this in an in-line positioning? Which are the variables that influence your choices?
  
  Available are the following techniques:
  - Handling robot
  - Free choice of material handling technique
  - Vision camera
  - (Directional) microphone
  - Vibration sensor
  - Heat image camera
  - Anything that can reasonably as an industrial product be obtained, is permitted as component or module.
3. Beside the functional tests, we want to find out whether the assembly was done well and feels solid. We would like to see how the tests would take place from a functional point of view, so which techniques you apply to execute the tests.
Tip: Preferably you provide a plan and some sketches; a detailed design is is not required. It must become clear which choices you make and what the reasoning is behind your choices.

Case 2 – Senior buyer Super yacht build

Note: these are fictional cases based on publicly available information. Usually a case is confidential in nature due to the input used.

Vacancy:

Senior buyer

Company:

The company designs and manufactures superyachts and does the interiors in-house

Goal:

Test to indicate operational priorities of the candidate, how he/she deals with preconception and obstacles, yet comes up with a solid and practical strategy plan for change.

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You start as Senior buyer with a builder of super yachts. This company designs and builds these yachts completely in-house and is organized in a projects / matrix structure.

The category “Interior” is one of the most important aspects in the building of the ship and to a large extent determine the look and feel thereof and has a major impact on the customer’s perception of the ship. A yacht is a showpiece and the interior is an important part thereof. The interior comprises the supply of high-grade materials for the design of the living and working quarters for the crew and the guests, the finishing of the deck and the furniture. The category ‘interior’ is to a large degree determined by the customer and his architect. The senior buyer communicates with the project leader interior and with production planning.

Interior / Finishing

The interior is built into the yachts by “interior production”, which is organized into the sections wood, machining, assembly, finishing (coating) and fitting. The joinery comprises some 50 employees, incl. 4 foremen and 2 project leaders. These are top crafsmen, who can not only make furniture that is fit for use in extreme weather conditions and heavy seas, but can also build it into the ship.

Before varnishing it is assembled as a mock up and after varnishing it is approved by the customer’s construction advisor. He approves all materials applied before maching and in later phases. The slightest mistake will be reason for rejection, rework or replacement. He has the authority to veto anything that is built onto or into the ship.

Within the department there is a lot of market- and supplier knowledge. Usually only preferred suppliers are hired, often single source and with whom there is a longlasting relationship. Up to today the Procurement (sourcing, contracting, vendor management) for this category is done by the project leaders themself.

Variables

The interior department is under great pressure regarding planning and meticulous commissioning of the final product(s).
Market- and supplier know-how are spread over the entire department.
Procurement does not have the category expertise, in terms of suppliers, market, materials used and the availability thereof (mainly teak wood)
There are many long lasting relations with ofthe single source suppliers
Price is not the determining factor, quality is.

Questions

Which are your stakeholders?
What risks do you see
What is your plan when starting as senior buyer for this category ? Indicate what first steps/measures/actions you will take during the first 3 months, thereby taking into account the following:
1. you need to uphold your buy-in with your stakeholders
2. in- and external management of the category (“educating” the internal organization and the suppliers)
3. single source suppliers with whom there are long lasting relations
What type of contracts will you make and how do you assure that these completely facilitate production?

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‘LIVE CASE’ TESTING A check under the hood…