Talent management and its technological partners

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the development of talent management systems and their evolving relationship with learning management systems (LMS) and learning content management systems (LCMS). Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses factual reporting to provide the overview. Findings – While the traditional LMS is in decline, the LCMS has much in common with – and can augment – a talent management system. Technological developments (cloud computing, PaaS and so on) are having an effect on these relationships. Practical implications – Talent management systems are becoming increasingly important for would‐be successful large (especially multi‐national) companies. The capacity and the business requirements of the LMS are changing. The LCMS offers a number of advantages for the modern business over the LMS and can collaborate with a talent management system to achieve strategic business objectives. Competency data – and competency management – lie at the heart of building competitive advantage in the modern business world. Originality/value – This is the first such analysis of the development of talent management systems and their evolving relationship with LMS and LCMS in relation to the corporate learning sector. This paper will be of interest to those looking for: a historical perspective on talent management system development; an explanation of talent management and its place within business strategy, and/or the latest technology developments (mid‐2010) in this sector.