Alternative to 16PF
— From Personality Factors to Strategic Capability
Looking for an Alternative to 16PF?
The 16 Personality Factors (16PF) assessment is a well-known tool in psychology and HR, designed to measure personality traits across a broad range of dimensions. It’s frequently used in selection, coaching, and development contexts.
But while 16PF offers comprehensive personality insights, many professionals today are looking for something more strategic, more actionable, and better aligned with modern workplace challenges.
That’s where the Big 5 of Strategy comes in.
What is 16PF?
Developed by Raymond Cattell, the 16PF measures 16 primary traits (like dominance, reasoning, sensitivity, and self-reliance), plus five global factors. It is used in:
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Recruitment and selection
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Career counselling
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Leadership assessments
The test is psychometrically rigorous, but often requires interpretation by trained professionals.
Why Look for an Alternative to 16PF?
While 16PF provides detailed data, it has limitations when applied to development and performance in today’s complex environments:
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Trait-based, not action-based: It describes personality, but doesn’t assess capabilities.
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Complex to interpret: It often requires expert feedback and reports are not self-explanatory.
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Static by nature: It doesn’t easily reflect growth, role transitions, or capability building.
Big 5 of Strategy vs. 16PF
Feature | 16PF | Big 5 of Strategy |
|---|---|---|
Model type | Personality traits | Strategic competencies |
Output | Trait profile across 16 factors | Personalized strengths across 5 domains |
Orientation | Diagnostic | Developmental |
Accessibility | Expert-administered | Self-guided and user-friendly |
Context fit | General psychology | Built for strategic roles and decisions |
Research base | Academic psychology | Applied research (1,200-person study) |
Who is the Big 5 of Strategy For?
The Big 5 of Strategy is built for modern professionals navigating complexity, change, and leadership demands.
It’s ideal for:
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People stepping into new or strategic roles
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Leaders and managers under pressure to deliver results
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Coaches and consultants working with high-potential talent
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HR teams focused on capability building and succession planning
Why the Big 5 of Strategy is More Than a Personality Test
16PF helps you understand traits.
The Big 5 of Strategy helps you understand and grow your strategic capacity.
You’ll get insight into:
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How you make sense of complex challenges
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How you shape direction and lead systems
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How you deliver results and adapt under pressure
Each profile is tailored, actionable, and built to support development — not just description.
