Guidelines for Designing Management Development Programmes

Management development is a widely recognised strategy for improving an organisation's effectiveness. Large amounts are spent to develop effective managers but few studies show these training programmes lead to improved organisational performance. The result is wasted time and money and the possibility of creating or reinforcing negative attitudes to management development. A four‐step process is suggested to minimise the possibility of conducting unnecessary or cost‐ineffective development programmes. It includes linking programmes to business plans, validating programme content, making programmes responsive to individual needs and encouraging the transfer of training. Each of these areas is discussed.