MANAGERIAL DEVELOPMENTAL ASSESSMENT CENTERS

OVERVIEW
The Managerial Development Program is a comprehensive development opportunity designed by researchers to allow managers to practice their skills in a "penalty free environment" and receive feedback from trained development facilitators.  The program takes participants through 2 blocks of exercises that are intended to elicit behaviors that are representative of the core dimensions identified as being important to managerial success.  After each block, participants receive feedback and formulate action plans for improving performance on the dimensions in either the next block, or in the workplace. The program is completely developmental and does not disclose information to employers/supervisors in order to make promotion or other personnel decisions. The MDP is a longitudinal process that follows-up with managerial progress on the goals they set in the program on a monthly basis. 

DIMENSIONS ASSESSED
Information Seeking

Planning & Organizing

Problem Solving

Conflict Management

Leadership

Oral Communication

Fairness

Cultural Adaptability

EXERCISES
Each block of the Managerial Development Program consists of three simulation exercises: 
· leaderless group discussion  
· case + presentation exercise
· interview simulation  

The dimensions assessed in exercise are consistent over the two blocks so that observations can be integrated across assessors.  Dimensions are also assessed in more than one exercise so that patterns of behavior can be seen, rather than matching behaviors to one specific exercise. 

Each block is based on a fictitious organization. Participants are given background materials about the organization such as company handbooks, training policies, and organizational culture.