Talent Strategy > Leadership Assessment & Development > System-3
Powering Better Leadership Decisions
Objective, simulation-based assessment capturing real-world leadership behaviour.
Learn how Bedford and System-3™ support leadership decisions.
What Is System-3™
A Simulation-Based Assessment Grounded in Observed Performance
System-3 is a simulation-based leadership assessment that measures how individuals make complex decisions in realistic business scenarios. By observing decision-making behaviour under pressure and comparing it against role-relevant benchmarks and context-specific success criteria, organizations gain objective insight into leadership readiness, fit, and potential.
The System-3™ Competitive Advantage
Supporting Confident Leadership Decisions
Leadership challenges are becoming more complex, and the demands placed on senior leaders continue to increase. In this environment, Boards and executive teams need reliable ways to assess readiness and capability with speed, efficiency, and objectivity. Bedford partners with System-3 to provide actionable insight grounded in real decision-making, helping organizations navigate complexity with greater confidence and clarity.
Steeped in Science, Built for Reality
System-3 uses video-based simulations developed by industrial–organizational psychology experts and senior executives. The methodology demonstrates proven validity and reliability, supported by ongoing bias monitoring to ensure rigour and fairness.
Objective, Predictive and Data-Driven
Proprietary, validated algorithms measure leadership competencies that are predictive of success. The assessment is designed to complement personality assessments, adding an objective, performance-based perspective.
Comparable Insight Across Roles and Teams
Decision-making behaviour is evaluated using consistent benchmarks, enabling meaningful comparison across candidates, leaders, teams, and succession pools, supporting clearer, more aligned leadership decisions at Board and executive level.
Measurable Development Over Time
Repeatable assessments enable organizations to track how leadership decision-making evolves over time. This supports validation of development investments and clearer assessment of leadership effectiveness as roles and business contexts change.Predictive
Simulates real-world scenarios to predict leadership behaviour.
Objective
Uses unbiased data to inform leadership decisions.
Scalable
Cost-effective and easily deployed at scale.
Engaging
Immersive simulations improve the candidate experience.
Where It Delivers
Talent Selection
Measures how candidates make complex decisions in realistic scenarios, providing objective insight into readiness, performance, and fit to role and culture.
Succession Planning
Enables assessment of leadership depth by evaluating decision-making capability against future role requirements, supporting clearer succession decisions and reduced risk.
Leadership Development
Identifies decision-making strengths and gaps to support targeted leadership development, with repeat assessments to track progress over time.
Team Effectiveness
Provides insight into how leaders operate within teams, supporting stronger alignment, performance, and culture in complex environments.Contact us today to discuss how Bedford and System-3™ can support your leadership assessment, selection, and development needs.
Ready to Give Your Leadership a Competitive Edge?
Let’s Talk Leadership Assessment
Partner with Bedford and System-3 to strengthen leadership selection, succession, and development.