1. Management and Organizational Development
Chapter 9

2. Selected Methods Used in Management Development
As with employee training, management development can be achieved both on and off the job
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3. Understudy Assignments
On-the-job training in which one individual, designated as the heir to a job, learns the job from the present job holder
Advantages
Heir realizes purpose of the training
Can learn in a practical and realistic situation without being directly responsible for operating results
Disadvantages
Understudy learns the bad as well as the good practices of incumbent
Understudy assignments maintained over a long period can become expensive
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4. Coaching
Management development conducted on the job that involves experienced managers advising and guiding trainees in solving managerial problems
Advantage
Trainees get practical experience and see results of their decisions
Disadvantage
Danger of the coach neglecting training responsibilities or pass on inappropriate management practices
The coach’s expertise and experience are critical with this method
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5. Experience
Individuals are promoted into management jobs and allowed to learn on their own from daily experiences
Advantage
Individual, in performing a specific job, may recognize need for management development and look for a means of satisfying it
Disadvantage
Employees allowed to learn management only through experience can create serious problems by making mistakes
Frustrating to attempt to manage without necessary background and knowledge
Serious difficulties can be avoided if experience method is supplemented with other management development techniques
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6. Job Rotation
Designed to give an individual broad experience through exposure to many different areas of organization
Large organizations frequently use this for training recent college graduates
Advantage
Training is practical and allows the trainee to become familiar with entire operation of company
Disadvantage
Trainee is frequently given menial assignments in each job
Tendency to leave trainee in each job longer than necessary
Both of these disadvantages can produce negative attitudes
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7. Special Projects and Committee Assignments
Special projects require trainee to learn about a particular subject
For example, a trainee may be told to develop a training program on safety
Critical that they provide a developing and learning experience for trainee and not just busywork
Committee assignments (similar to special projects) – Used if organization has regularly constituted or ad hoc committees
Individual works with committee on its regularly assigned duties and responsibilities
Person develops skills in working with others and learns through the activities of the committee
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8. Classroom Training
Most familiar type of training; can utilize several methods
Include
Lectures
Case studies
Role playing
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9. Lectures Common method of instruction Strengths include
Lecturers can reach many learners at one time
Lecture method lets instructor control what will be covered, the sequence in which it will be covered, and how much time will be devoted to each topic
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10. Lectures Weaknesses include Listeners are often passive
Length of lecture periods often does not match listener’s interest spans
Lecturing fails to allow for individual differences in ability or experience
Lectures are unsuitable for certain higher forms of learning, such as analysis and diagnosis
Lectures are partially dependent on the public speaking skills and abilities of the lecturer
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11. Case Studies
Classroom training in which trainee analyzes real or hypothetical situations and suggests not only what to do but also how to do it
Case study should force trainee to
Think through problems
Propose solutions
Choose among them
Analyze consequences of decision
Success of this method depends heavily on skills of the instructor
Asking probing questions and keeping everyone involved in analysis of case are critical for its success
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12. Case Studies Advantages of case method include
Emphasize analysis of a situation that is typical of manager’s world
Expose learners to a wide range of true-to-life management problems
Inspire interest in otherwise theoretical and abstract training material
Possible weaknesses of case method include
Often focus on past and static considerations
Case analysis often lacks emotional involvement on the part of the student
Thus is unrealistic in terms of what trainee would actually do in the situation
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13. Role Playing
Participants are assigned different roles and required to act out those roles in a realistic situation
Its success depends on ability of participants to assume the roles realistically
Videotaping allows for review and evaluation of the exercise to improve its effectiveness
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14. In-Basket Technique
Participant is required to simulate the handling of a specific job(responding manager’s mail and telephone calls)
Participants analyze situations and suggest alternative actions
Evaluated on basis of number and quality of decisions
Evaluated on priorities assigned to each situation
It has been used
For management development
In assessment centers
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15. Web-Based Training (WBT)
Material is presented on computer video screens via either the Internet or company intranet; participants are required to answer questions correctly before being allowed to proceed
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16. Business Simulations
Simulates an organization and its environment and requires a team of players to make operating decisions based on situation
Forces individuals to work
With other group members
Function in an atmosphere of competition within industry
Advantages include
They simulate reality
Decisions are made in a competitive environment
Feedback is provided concerning decisions
Disadvantage
Many participants simply attempt to determine key to winning
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17. Adventure Learning (Experiential-Learning Programs)
Programs that use many kinds of challenging outdoor activities (often involving physical risk) to help participants achieve their goals
Group-focused objectives – Include
Better communication
More creative problem solving
More effective teamwork
Improved leadership
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18. Adventure Learning (Experiential-Learning Programs)
Personal growth objectives – Include
Improved self-esteem
Improved risk-taking skills
Increased self-awareness
Better stress management
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19. University and Professional Association Seminars
Colleges and universities offer both credit and noncredit courses intended to help meet management development needs of various organizations
Professional associations such as American Management Association offer a wide variety of management development programs
Programs use many of the previously discussed classroom techniques
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