Redefining State Government Leadership and Management Development: A Process for Competency-Based Development

Abstract

This article describes a massive redesign, reconceptuallzation, and restructuring of Louisiana's management development programs and processes. Through a lengthy sequence of developmental efforts, the authors conceptualized, developed, and fully implemented an integrated system of supervisory and managerial training designed to promote best practices throughout the state. The resulting training system is a competency- or skill-based model. This article documents all steps of the process so other states or organizational entities seeking to update their management development programs and adopt a validated competency framework might be able to learn from the experiences in Louisiana state government.