The Herrmann Brain Dominance Instrument (HBDI™) is the world’s leading thinking styles assessment tool. It helps you to understand what makes you and others ‘tick’ by identifying thinking, learning and communication styles.

Mechanics

In his brain dominance model, Herrmann identifies four different modes of thinking:

• Analytical thinking
  Key words : logical, factual, critical, technical and quantitative.
  Preferred activities : collecting data, analysis, understanding how things work, judging ideas based on facts, criteria and logical reasoning.
• Sequential thinking
  Key words : safekeeping, structured, organized, complexity or detailed, planned.
  Preferred activities : following directions, detail oriented work, step-by-step problem solving, organization and implementation.
• Interpersonal thinking
  Key words : kinesthetic, emotional, spiritual, sensory, feeling.
  Preferred activities : listening to and expressing ideas, looking for personal meaning, sensory input, and group interaction.
• Imaginative thinking
  Key words : Visual, holistic, intuitive, innovative, and conceptual.
  Preferred activities : Looking at the big picture, taking initiative, challenging assumptions, visuals, metaphoric thinking, creative problem solving, long term thinking.

The format of the instrument is a 120 question online test which claims to determine which of the model's four styles of thinking is a dominant preference. More than one style may be dominant at once in this model. For example, in Herrmann's presentation a person may be dominant in both analytical and sequential styles of thinking but be weaker in interpersonal or imaginative modes, though he asserts all people use all styles to varying degrees.

A 1985 dissertation by C. Bunderson, currently CEO of the non-profit EduMetrics Institute which has an ongoing business relationship with Herrmann International, is published on the Herrmann International website. It asserts that "four stable, discrete clusters of preference exist", "scores derived from the instrument are valid indicators of the four clusters", and "The scores permit valid inferences about a person's preferences and avoidances for each of these clusters of mental activity".

Based on the instrument and model, IWNC will offer programs, books, activities, and coaching claiming to improve personal or group communication, creativity, and other benefits.