As contrast to training, development is an organized activity in which the manpower learns and grows through self-assessment. It is a type of educational process which develops the personnel over a period of time.
- The concept of development is more applicable to the higher level and top-level management.
- Top level management and departmental heads perform more of intellectual work than physical work. Like workers, they do not work on machines. They play roles of leaders who lead the workers, manage them, motivate them and take out work from them. So, their training needs are different. Hence, they need different kind of training or say development.
- The objective of this training is to increase their mental ability and their . efficiency in taking policy decisions and leading the organization in more
and more efficient way. Such development trainings make them experts in technical knowledge which then help in them in making strategic plans and policies. This type of training is called officer development.
- The modern world industries are developing very fast. The managers need to remain in line with these developments so that they can stay well in the competition. So to enhance the ability of top level management, the organization undertakes development oriented programmes. .
- Development is the process of imparting theoretical and practical knowledge to top level management and departmental heads.
- The term development refers to a program which helps to achieve the predefined objectives of the organization by improving the capabilities of heads (officers).
Importance of development:
1. Increase in technical knowledge:
- Although the officers do not have to work on the machines but, with changing business conditions, it is necessary for the officers to have technical knowledge because their functions are related with technical aspects.
- Developmental programmes provide guidance (knowledge) to use technical knowledge, machines and methods, so that correct and positive decisions can be taken for organizations.
2. Research and new ideology: Training increases the efficiency of departmental heads to work at the administrative level by providing them knowledge about new researches and ideologies.
3. Development of the organization: In present times, developmental programs are necessary to help the organization grow at national and even international levels by adopting new changes and strategies.
4. Optimum use of resources:
- Developmental programs help to make optimum use of available resources.
- Moreover, training reduces unnecessary expenses, controls the cost of production and hence increase the profit.
5. Solution to problems: Development programs help in bringing speedy and successful solutions to newly arising, problems in the organization.
6. Effective supervision: Development programs enhance the skill of officers involved in technical work. This makes their supervision more effective.
7. Reduces stress:
- Management and departmental heads often have to face many challenges and problems while managing the enterprise or business.
- Taking decisions and managing daily operations creates a lot of stress on them. Developmental programs help to reduce this stress.
