Development and Assessment Center workshops function as tools to assess a manager’s strengths and areas for development within the context of career advancement and succession planning. They offer a detailed picture of individual capabilities in relation to required skills and possible career evolution, thereby providing valuable information to determine if an individual is ready to move to a new role in the organization, or can aspire to do so with further development.

These workshops are held off-site. They include a preliminary interview plus individual (including simulations, questionnaires, and presentations) and team (including role-play) exercises. These tasks are generally linked to either a leadership profile or a well-defined role.

Observers are consultants who are trained in this kind of work and/or senior corporate managers and HR. Based on the outcomes of the workshop the organization may recommend individual coaching to accelerate readiness for the next step.