Development Dimensions International Explained

DDI (Development Dimensions International)
Type:Privately held company
Industry:Human resource consulting, Talent management
Foundation:1970
Location City:Pittsburgh, PA
Locations:26 countries
Area Served:Worldwide
Key People:William C. Byham, Founder
Douglas Bray, Founder
Tacy M. Byham, CEO
David Tessmann-Keys, President
Num Employees:1,100 employees
Location Country:USA

Development Dimensions International (DDI) is an international human resources and leadership development consultancy. DDI works with organizations to make changes related to leadership development, leadership selection, succession management, and execution and performance.

The company is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and has more than 1,100 employees throughout 42 offices in 26 countries. William C. Byham, is chairman, Tacy M. Byham is CEO, and David Tessmann-Keys is president.

Company Overview

DDI was founded in 1970 by William C. Byham, and Douglas Bray. DDI introduced the assessment center[1] approach for identifying leadership skills. Byham’s article, Assessment Centers for Spotting Future Managers[2] (Harvard Business Review), led to inquiries about the process, and later, Byham approached Bray about a partnership.

DDI later branched out into leadership development. It introduced a leadership development program based on behavior modeling: Interaction Management. DDI next created a stand-alone behavioral interviewing system, Targeted Selection, which ensures compliance with Equal Employment Opportunity laws.

DDI’s also works on new HR technology, methodology, and content, including mid- and senior-level development, online assessment for frontline and mid-level leaders, and best practices for succession management.

Selected publications

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Assessment Center Method and Methodology: New Applications and Technologies. Byham. William.
  2. Book: Assessment Centers for Spotting Future Managers. Harvard Business Review Reprint Service. 1970-01-01.
  3. Book: Your First Leadership Job: How Catalyst Leaders Bring Out the Best in Others. Wiley. 2015. 9781118911952.
  4. Book: Grow Your Own Leaders: How to Identify, Develop, and Retain Leadership Talent. FT Press. 2002. 9780130093981. registration.
  5. Book: Rogers, Robert W.. Realizing the Promise of Performance Management. DDI Press. 2004. 0976151413.
  6. Book: Byham, William. Zapp! The Lightning of Empowerment: How to Improve Quality, Productivity, and Employee Satisfaction. Random House. 1988. 0449002829.
  7. Web site: Ready-Now Leaders: 25 Findings to Meet Tomorrow's Business Challenges.
  8. Web site: Global Selection Forecast 2012: Know More. Guess Less..