Navigating the Catalyst Free Upgrade Process
What to Expect and How to Prepare Learners
Upgrading to the Catalyst platform from an existing Everything DiSC assessment unlocks new functionality and entices learners to re-engage with DiSC. But we know from experience that if respondents’ expectations aren’t set properly, they may have a negative reaction. This guide will help you understand the upgrade process and provide tips for setting expectations with your learners.
What to Expect During the Catalyst Upgrade Process
1. Time Investment for the Upgrade:
The additional Catalyst assessment involves around 50 questions. Depending on familiarity with the assessment style, this can take most users between 15-20 minutes to complete.
It’s helpful to remind participants that this isn’t starting a new assessment from scratch, but rather building upon their existing responses. This can be reinforced by pointing out that the progress bar shows they are about 65% complete when the first questions are presented.
2. Logging into Catalyst:
Participants use the same email address they used for their initial assessment to log into Catalyst. The easiest way administrators to identify this email address is through EPIC (see our article, Download EPIC Learner Data, to easily generate a list.
A password reset option is available for those who need it. Alternatively, users can create a new Catalyst account using a different email, though this approach hasn’t been fully tested for this specific process.
Once logged in, respondents are taken to this screen:
…and must click on the “Take the assessment” link, indicated by the red arrow.
3. Accessing the Results and Catalyst Features:
After completing the additional questions, users will see a splash screen that displays their DiSC style and a button labeled “See Your Results”. Clicking this allows access to the full Catalyst platform.
Important Note: Users may encounter a pop-up screen indicating they have “changed organizations.” The screen looks like the one shown here.
This message can be confusing, but it can be closed by clicking the “X” in the upper-right corner of the pop-up. Let learners know to look for this to avoid getting “stuck” on this screen.
How to Prepare Learners for a Smooth Transition
1. Set Clear Expectations About the Process:
As of this writing, the invitation email for the Catalyst upgrade says, “Answer a few more questions to unlock Catalyst.” It’s best to inform participants beforehand that the “few” questions is closer to 50. This helps prevent frustration or surprise during the process.
Clarify that the upgrade questions are designed to refine and expand on the initial assessment, which is why the number of questions might seem substantial. And while some of the items may seem similar to those in the original assessment, they are from a different bank of questions.
2. Skip Demographics to Save Time:
The demographic questions may be skipped entirely. They do not influence the assessment results. This can save a bit of time and keep the focus on completing the upgrade.
3. Reassure Learners About the Value of the Upgrade:
Emphasize that the extra time spent on these questions leads to a more personalized and enriched experience on Catalyst. This platform offers new tools and insights that extend beyond the initial report, making the process worthwhile.
Addressing Common Concerns
Why Do I Have to Take the Assessment Again?
The upgrade assessment is not a retake. Although some of the questions might seem similar, these are new questions that are needed for the full Catalyst experience.
Why Does It Take So Long?
The Catalyst assessment goes beyond the older PDF-based versions because it collects data for multiple applications. Through this approach, additional results (such as Agile EQ and Management) can be unlocked without the respondent undergoing yet another set of questions (or two!).
Why Can’t I Access the Platform Immediately?
The questions need to be completed first to ensure compatibility between the original DiSC results and the new insights provided through Catalyst. This step is crucial to maintain the integrity of the learning experience on the upgraded platform.
What If Someone Gets Stuck?
Participants that report “getting stuck” are either not understanding that they have to click the “Take the assessment” link or they are not finding the “X” in the upper corner of pop-up screens.
Final Thoughts
While the Catalyst upgrade process may seem a bit more time-consuming than initially expected, it offers a valuable opportunity to expand the depth of the learner’s DiSC experience. By preparing your participants with realistic timelines and guidance on navigating the process, you can ensure they have a positive experience and maximize the benefits of the Catalyst platform.
Download the Free Catalyst Upgrade Guide for Learners
We’ve condensed these notes into a shareable one-page PDF that you can send to your learners.
Setting learner expectations is the key to a successful upgrade process. If you have any questions about any of this, feel free to contact us with your questions!