DSI Personality Test

What is the DSI (Decision Style Inventory)?

The DSI, or Decision Style Inventory, is a model of how people make decisions, developed by Alan Rowe. It is built on two simple ideas: how much information and structure you like before you decide, and whether you focus more on the task or on the people involved. Put those together and you get four decision styles: Directive, Analytical, Conceptual and Behavioural.

Directive decision-makers move fast and want a clear answer. Analytical ones gather the facts and weigh the evidence. Conceptual ones look at the big picture and explore new ideas. Behavioural ones focus on people and seek agreement. Most people use all four styles at times but lean on one or two more than the rest, and no style is better than another.

Is this the official DSI test?

No. This is a free practice test built in the style of the Decision Style Inventory, using our own original questions. It is not the official instrument and is not affiliated with its authors or publisher.

The underlying model of decision styles is well established in management research, so a test built around the four styles is perfectly legitimate. Our version is short, at 24 questions, and is designed to give you a genuine feel for the four styles and a useful read on your own decision-making, without any sign-up, payment or administrator. If you have a real decision-style questionnaire coming up, this is a good way to get familiar with how it works.

What do the four decision styles mean?

Each style is a spectrum, and where you sit simply describes a tendency.

• Directive: you prefer speed and clarity, use the facts you need, make the call and move on, and you like to stay in control.
• Analytical: you prefer to be thorough, gathering information and weighing the options carefully before you commit.
• Conceptual: you think broadly and long term, keeping options open and exploring new and creative ideas.
• Behavioural: you focus on people, talking things through and looking for a decision the group can support.

Your results below explain what a higher or lower score on each style tends to mean in practice.

How should I read my results?

Your results place you on each of the four styles, usually with one or two standing out as your dominant style. Read the dominant style first, as it describes your natural approach under normal conditions. It is also worth looking at your lowest style, because that is often where a decision can trip you up, for example a strong Directive who decides before gathering enough information, or a strong Behavioural who avoids a tough call to keep everyone happy. No profile is right or wrong. The value is in recognising your habits so you can lean on your strengths and watch for the blind spots. Because it reflects how you described yourself, the most useful thing you can do is answer honestly.