If we put the two together, it simple means one’s improved abilities to manage businesses or self. It is a conscious effort, planned in nature, which makes a person capable and increases their capacity to manage an organization, its people and also their own self.

Best explained, it is the process by which managers discover as well as improve their abilities and skills, which would not only be advantageous to them but also to the organizations for which they work.

The most common traits required in a manger are good communication skills, leadership qualities, problem identification and solving, and most importantly persuading and encouraging others to give in their best. These traits if not present in a manager or are dormant, can be identified and developed over a period of time through proper management development programs.

Management development is the structured process by which managers enhance their skills, competencies and/or knowledge, via formal or informal learning methods, to the benefit of both individual and organisational performance.

The effective management of both private and public sector organisations is widely perceived to be of critical importance to organisational success and, more broadly, to national economic well-being. Some critics, moreover, argue that the UK has certain deficiencies in respect of the qualities and skills of its management base when compared with managers at the global level.

This means that the development of managers to help sustain their performance at the highest levels possible is a particularly crucial element of wider organisational learning strategies.

Managing involves the planning, organisation, co-ordination and implementation of strategies, programmes, tactics and policies in respect of people, resources, information, operations and finance. Management development interventions may therefore cover any or all of these areas, depending on the level and nature of the management role as well as other factors such as the stage of the individual’s career.

In organisational development (OD), management effectiveness is recognized as a determinant of organisational success. Therefore investment in management development can have a direct economic benefit to the organisation. In 2004, the money spent per year per manager on management and leadership development was �1,035, an average of 6.3 days per manager