Management development

Management development is best described as the process by which managers learn and improve their skills not only to benefit themselves but also their employers.^[1]

In organisational development (OD), the effectiveness of management is recognised as one of the determinants of organisational success. Therefore, investment in management development can have a direct economic benefit to the organisation.

Managers are exposed to learning opportunities whilst doing their jobs; if this informal learning is used as a formal process then it is regarded as management development.

In 2004, the spend per annum per manager on management and leadership development was £1,035, an average of 6.3 days per manager.^[2]

Approaches to management development

Action learning

Many management qualifications now have an action learning element. Action learning recognises that individuals learn best from experience, so that process is structured. Action learning sets allow individuals to try out different approaches to solving issues and problems.^[1]

Coaching

An effective learning tool
Impact on bottom line/productivity
Intangible benefits
Aids improvement of individual performance
Tackles underperformance
Aids identification of personal learning needs

Management education

One of the biggest growth areas in UK education since the early 1980s has been the growth of university level management education. As well as weekly part-time attendance at college/university, many students are also undertaking distance learning. Whereas there were only two business schools in the early 1970s, there are now over a hundred providers offering undergraduate, postgraduate and professional courses.

References

^ ^a ^b Cannell.M. Management Development factsheet. London. CIPD (November 2004 - rev 2008)
^ Chartered Management Institute

Approaches to management development

Action learning

Coaching

Management education

References

See also