An Assessment Center Approach to Officer Development
Abstract
The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the use of the assessment center for management development of Air Force officers. The officer development system is reviewed and weaknesses are identified in the informal methods of providing feedback concerning management skills. Criteria used in management development programs are also identified. The assessment center method is reviewed with emphasis on the following areas: evolution, uses, design considerations, validity, and military applications. The assessment center has received widespread usage in industry and government, however usage by the military has been limited. A validity study was conducted on the Aeronautical Systems Division's Management Assessment Center operated at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio in 1974 and 1975. Based on positive results from the validity study, use of this assessment center design is recommended for conducting a pilot assessment center for management development of Air Force officers. To provide background for conducting a pilot assessment center, an assessor training program is outlined which includes expanded dimension definitions and benchmarks for standardization of assessor ratings. Also, an interview guide is provided to assist in the feedback interview. Finally, future data gathering efforts are described and questionnaires are provided for obtaining reactions from both assesses and assessors.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1980
- Accession Number
- ADA093162
Entities
People
- David M. Komar
- William M. Wise
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology