2/23/23, 10:48 AM Hay Guide Chart for Problem Solving | People Centre

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Hay Guide Chart for Problem Solving

JULY 5, 2016
Disclaimer

The Hay Job Evaluation Methodology is a proprietary methodology. You would need permission
from the owner of this tool to use it. I document it here for human resource practitioners who for
various reasons wanted to know how it works (education purposes).

What is Problem Solving?

Problem solving refers to “self-initiated” thinking required for the job toanalyze, to evaluate, to
create, to reason, to arrive at and make conclusions..

Problem solving measures the requirement to use know-how conceptually and analytically. It is
circumscribed by standards, covered by precedents or referred to others.

The Dimensions of the Hay Problem Solving Profile Chart

There are 2 dimensions displayed in the Hay Problem Solving Profile Chart. The points from each of
these dimensions are added to form the total points for Problem Solving factor.

The first dimension is Thinking Environment, that is the environment in which the thinking takes
place. It is the degree to which thinking constrained by rules, methods, procedures, policy, strategy
and so on. This dimension is also known as the Freedom to Think. The second dimension is Thinking
Challenge, that is the challenge presented by the thinking to be done. This refer to the complexity of
the problem encountered,  and the extent to which original thinking must be applied to arrive at
solutions.This appears as a vertical column at the left of the Chart.

Levels Short Description Long Description

A Strict Routine / Simple rules and detailed Thinking within detailed rules,
Highly instructions. and/or instructions and/or rigid
Structured
supervision (by a person or system).
Action steps are defined.

B Routine Established routines and Thinking within standard

standing instructions. instructions and/or continuous
close supervision (by a person or
system). Most action steps are
defined.

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C Semi-Routine Somewhat diversified Thinking within well-defined

procedures and precedents. procedures and precedents
somewhat diversified, and/or
regular supervision. Detailed action
is not defined

only the approach

D Standardized Substantially diversified Thinking within substantially

procedures and specialized diversified, established procedures
standards. and standards, and general
supervision. Most problems or cases
can be

tackled based on experience, but the

most complex will mean getting

advice

E Clearly Defined Clearly defined policies and Thinking within clearly defined
principles of a discipline. policies, principles and specific

objectives, under readily available

direction from senior management

F Broadly Broad policies and specific Thinking within broad functional

Defined objectives. policies and objectives, under

general direction only

G Generally General policies and ultimate Thinking within general policies,

Defined goals. principles and goals, under

guidance.

F Abstractly General laws of nature or Thinking within business

Defined science, within a framework philosophy and/or principles
of cultural standards and controlling human affairs.
business philosophy.
Source: (a) Leicestershire County Council (b) Armenian HR Association

Another way to understand the Thinking Environment is to break the description into the following
table.

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Source: Hay Group

The second dimension is Thinking Challenge. This appears as a horizontal table across the top of the
chart.

Levels Description
1 Repetitive Identical situations requiring solution by simple choice of
learned things.
2 Patterned Similar situations requiring solution by discriminating choice
of things learned.
3 Interpolative Differing situations requiring the identification and selection of
solutions through the application of acquired knowledge.
4 Adaptive Situations requiring analytical, interpretative and/or
constructive thinking and a significant degree of evaluative
judgement
5 Creative Pathfinding situations requiring creative thinking, the
development of new concepts and approaches contributing
significantly to the advancement of knowledge and thought
Source: (a) Leicestershire County Council (b) Armenian HR Association

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Source: Hay Group

Here is the Hay Problem Scoring Guide Chart without the percentage utilization of Know-How in
problem solving.

Thinking Challenge
Thinking 1 2 3 4 5
Environment
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
 

Here is the same Chart showing part of the percentage utilization of of Know-How in problem
solving. Step 1, we determine the Thinking Environment to be D and the Thinking Challenge to be 33
percent. This is the %PS.

Thinking Challenge
Thinking 1 2 3 4 5
Environment

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A 10% 14% 19% 25% 33%

12% 16% 22% 29% 38%

B 12% 16% 22% 29% 38%

14% 19% 25% 33% 43%

C 14% 19% 25% 33% 43%

16% 22% 29% 38% 50%

D 16% 22% 29% 38% 50%

19% 25% 33% 43% 57%

E 19% 25% 33% 43% 57%

22% 29% 38% 50% 66%

F 22% 29% 38%

25% 33% 43%

G 25% 33%

29% 38%

H 29%

33%

Problem solving (PS) measures the intensity of the mental process that employs Know How to
identify, define and solve a problem. Hence problem solving is treated as a percentage utilization of
Know How in the mental process of solving problems. To find the problem solving scores or points,
we need to refer to another table with the PS percentage in a vertical column on the left and the Know
How scores or points in a horizontal row at the top of the table.

KH Points
% PS 50 57 66 76 87 100 115 132 152 175 200 230 264
87% 43 50 57 66 76 87 100 115 132 152 175 200 230
76% 38 43 50 57 66 76 87 100 115 132 152 175 200
66% 33 38 43 50 57 66 76 87 100 115 132 152 175
57% 29 33 38 43 50 57 66 76 87 100 115 132 152
50% 25 29 33 38 43 50 57 66 76 87 100 115 132
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43% 22 25 29 33 38 43 50 57 66 76 87 100 115

38% 19 22 25 29 33 38 43 50 57 66 76 87 100
33% 16 19 22 25 29 33 38 43 50 57 66 76 87
29% 14 16 19 22 25 29 33 38 43 50 57 66 76
25% 12 14 16 19 22 25 29 33 38 43 50 57 66
22% 10 12 14 16 19 22 25 29 33 38 43 50 57
19% 9 10 12 14 16 19 22 25 29 33 38 43 50
16% 8 9 10 12 14 16 19 22 25 29 33 38 43
14% 7 8 9 10 12 14 16 19 22 25 29 33 38
12% 6 7 8 9 10 12 14 16 19 22 25 29 33
10% 5 6 7 8 9 10 12 14 16 19 22 25 29
 

Let us say that the score that we had obtained from the Hay Know How Guide Chart is 264. This is
the KH Points. When we looked at the cross section of 264 KH Points and 33%PS, we determined the
score for Problem Solving to be 87.

 
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