2nd Edition

Assessment and Development Centres

By Iain Ballantyne, Nigel Povah Copyright 2004
    238 Pages
    by Routledge

    238 Pages
    by Routledge

    Since the first edition of this book, the level of interest and the varied forms of assessment and development centres have mushroomed. Iain Ballantyne and Nigel Povah's book looks at the entire process, from the underlying concepts to the most effective methods of validation - not forgetting the organizational politics involved. The main objectives of the book are: ¢ to establish a thorough understanding of the principles and practice of assessment and development centres; ¢ to provide sufficient knowledge to enable practitioners to run their own events in a professional manner; ¢ to help readers to recognise when they may need to call on outside expertise, and ¢ to equip readers to ask pertinent questions of any prospective advisers. This second edition includes guidance to reflect the significant developments within the technology, along with further advice on quality control, process improvements and further refinements to the increasingly popular development centre concept. Assessment and Development Centres represents a practical approach which is sure of a warm welcome from HR professionals.

    Contents: What is an assessment centre?; Getting started; Defining the job needs; Designing the assessment centre content; Planning for the assessment centre; Assessor training; Running the assessment centre; Life after an assessment centre; Validating the assessment centre; Development centres; Current issues and future trends; Appendix: Design, implementation and evaluation of assessment and development centres - Best practice guidelines; Bibliography; Index.

    Biography

    Iain Ballantyne is an independent business psychologist, until recently Principal Consultant with Nigel Povah at Assessment & Development Consultants Ltd. For more than 25 years he has assessed people at work, initially as a Personnel Manager for 'blue chip' companies like Grandmet and Unisys and since the mid-1980s as a management consultant. Nigel Povah is the Managing Director of Assessment & Development Consultants Limited, a practice specialising in assessment methods and developing human potential at work. He was a training manager at ICL prior to founding Assessment & Development Consultants Ltd in 1988.

    'The flow of the book works exceptionally well ... The success or failure of an assessment centre depends so much on the work that precedes it (and indeed follows it), and this is reflected in the structure and content of the book ... It can easily be read from cover-to-cover for those who are seeking a thorough grounding in the issues and practicalities of Assessment and Development Centres. It works equally well for those who want to dip in and refresh their knowledge of a particular topic, or who need to muster support for investing in pre- or post-centre activities. Although designed for HR managers, there is learning in here for a much wider audience, including line manager assessors, consultants, and students. It also includes a comprehensive reference list, ideal for those who want to delve deeper into this subject. ' Annie Gray, Managing Director, The Gray Partnership (Business Psychologists) Ltd 'An authoritative text which provides an excellent blend of theoretical underpinning to the practice of Assessment and Development Centres. An essential purchase for practitioners involved in the effective design and delivery of these Centres.' Alan Gilbert, Principal Lecturer and Chartered Occupational Psychologist, University of Portsmouth Business School 'This publication is informative, well researched and practical providing professionals and non-professionals with a good grounding in the realities of implementing Assessment and Development Centres. It will become a well thumbed publication who ever owns it.' Training Zone, September 2005 'This is a comprehensive, informative handbook covering most aspects of running an assessment or development centre. It would serve as a valuable reference guide to anyone running their first centre.' Personnel Today , March 2006