Developmental Assessment Centers

As with assessment centers for selection and promotion, assessment centers for development utilize an objective, job-related approach to assessing an individual’s capability to perform in a managerial or leadership role. Candidates complete a battery of testing procedures that assesses job-related expertise and competency.

The testing battery typically includes three to five exercises, such as a role-play exercise, a writing exercise, a presentation, an interview, and/or a group exercise. Candidate performance is measured across a series of job-related performance dimensions comprised of the individual’s competencies and knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform in a leadership role.

Based on the candidate’s performance, individual developmental plans are created for each participant in the assessment center to close any emergent gaps in the candidate’s demonstrated skills sets and competencies and those required in a managerial or leadership assignment.