Converting engineers into managers: a system

Management development must be a long term programme. By careful assessment of people and their skill it is possible to determine a potential level to which an individual might be expected to rise. The needs of the potential job and the individual´s skills and performance are compared and it is decided what job he needs to do in order to acquire the experience and managerial skill that he is lacking. Such a programme must be monitored regularly and remedial action taken if it is seen to be slipping. In-house training and external causes may provide valuable back up to the development programme.