From Proficiency to Performance: The BUPLAS Framework

Are you a busy CEO or a high-level manager who has heard the term “BUPLAS” but isn’t sure what it means?

In this blog post, we’ll explore what the BUPLAS framework is, why it is more than just a language test,  and its key advantages over other language assessments.

What is BUPLAS?

BUPLAS is an acronym for “Business Process Language Assessment System”.  It is a powerful end-to-end communication assessment and training solution that helps organizations recruit, train, and coach teams on communication.

What is the BUPLAS framework?

The BUPLAS framework was developed by Future Perfect company founder, Dr. Jane Lockwood, as a result of years of rigorous research on workplace communication. In a business setting, the BUPLAS framework can be used to assess a person’s communication skills in these five domains:  Pronunciation, Language, Discourse, Interactive & Strategic, and Solution Strategy.

By measuring these five domains, BUPLAS provides a holistic evaluation of candidates’ abilities to communicate effectively in the workplace. 

Because BUPLAS employs a single assessment and training framework across Recruitment, Training, and Operations, it is easier for organizations to reach alignment and consistency across multiple departments.

What workplace communication skills does BUPLAS test?

BUPLAS  measures 5 key communication domains critical to success – Pronunciation, Language, Discourse, Interactive and Strategic Skills, and Solution Strategy.

These  domains are closely correlated to performance results and KPI success such as NPS, CSAT, and AHT.  This makes it a great tool for assessing the communication skills of potential candidates who are highly likely to perform on the job and deliver outstanding performance results.

How is BUPLAS correlated to CEFR and IELTS?

The BUPLAS framework exhibits a close correlation with CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) and IELTS (International English Language Testing System), two widely respected international standards for measuring language proficiency.

• CEFR is a framework developed by the Council of Europe to provide a standardized way of describing language proficiency levels. As a general framework supplemented by ‘can do’ statements, it describes language proficiency into six levels: A1 (beginner), A2 (elementary), B1 (intermediate), B2 (upper-intermediate), C1 (advanced), and C2 (proficient). It’s important to note that CEFR is not an assessment system but a framework against which assessment systems can be referenced.  
• IELTS is an international standardized test that evaluates the English language proficiency  in four key language skills: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. IELTS scores are reported on a scale from 1 to 9, with 9 being the highest level of proficiency.

Both CEFR and IELTS provide a standardised approach to evaluate people’s language proficiency. However, using CEFR and IELTS for assessing workplace communication skills have limitations. 

CEFR is not an assessment system but a reference tool, and IELTS is an assessment tool designed primarily for academic testing.  Both of them look at language proficiency,  and not language performance.

Why is BUPLAS more than a language proficiency test?

BUPLAS goes beyond other language proficiency tests by encompassing a broader spectrum of communication skills necessary for success in various business settings.

Compared to other conventional language assessments, the BUPLAS framework distinguishes itself by evaluating both proficiency and performance.

 In other words, it not only measures a person’s overall language skills, such as pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary, but also their aptitude for effective communication within specific situations or scenarios. 

This distinctive feature of BUPLAS ensures that candidates who excel on the BUPLAS assessment possess communication skills that are valuable for a variety of roles and industries.

Why does BUPLAS combine human expertise with technology?

BUPLAS recognizes that assessing communication skills goes beyond what automated assessments alone can achieve. 

That is why we combine automation with human expertise to offer businesses the best of both worlds
Human assessors are critical because despite advancements in technology, nuanced aspects of communication such as tone, non-verbal language, or the ability to interpret implicit cues require human judgement and understanding.

What are the key advantages of using BUPLAS vs other assessments?

So what are the key advantages of using BUPLAS? Let’s highlight the key points we have discussed in the blog:

Unlike other language assessments…

• BUPLAS is correlated to CEFR and IELTS
  BUPLAS exhibits a strong correlation with internationally recognized language proficiency standards such as CEFR and IELTS, providing a benchmark for evaluating candidates’ language skills.

• BUPLAS measures both language proficiency and performance
  Unlike other assessments that focus solely on language proficiency, BUPLAS measures both proficiency and performance. It assesses not only general language abilities but also candidates’ competence in specific workplace communication scenarios.

• BUPLAS measures 5 communication domains correlated to business success
  BUPLAS evaluates candidates’ communication skills across five crucial domains – Pronunciation, Language, Discourse, Interactive and Strategic Competence, and Solution Strategy. It’s the only workplace communication assessment that provides a holistic evaluation of candidates’ abilities to communicate effectively in the workplace, and that is tied to performance results and business success.

• BUPLAS interprets nuanced aspects of communication that automated assessments cannot measure
  BUPLAS combines human expertise with technology to ensure accurate and reliable assessment results. Technology supports proctoring and monitoring for assessment integrity; while human assessors play a vital role in interpreting nuanced aspects of communication that other automated language assessments can never measure.

In Summary:

Throughout this blog post, we have explored what BUPLAS is, its key advantages over other language assessments, and how it correlates with international standards like CEFR and IELTS. We have also discussed how BUPLAS evaluates proficiency and performance, making it a valuable tool for assessing employees’ communication abilities in real-world workplace settings.

If you’re considering assessing your employees or candidates’ communication skills, BUPLAS is worth considering. 

Request a demo today to see our communication assessments in action and discover how our unique approach can transform your hiring process.