Human Resources Management (HRM) vs. Development (HRD) (2023)

Human Resources (HR) is an important part of many organizations, regardless of size or industry. Human resources serves as the link between the organization and its employees, ensuring that both are positioned for success. HR managers oversee, design and implement all processes within the HR department, from payroll to onboarding.

Within the broad area of ​​human resource management (HRM) is human resources development (HRD). HRD primarily cares about the personal and professional growth of each employee and tries to align their development with the goals of an organization. While HRM and HRD have a lot in common, they also have slightly different goals. In this guide, we'll delve deeper into these goals and highlight the differences between the two disciplines.

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human resources management

On the surface, human resources management may seem simple as it simply involves monitoring the employees within an organization. On closer inspection, it often encompasses a range of responsibilities related to an organisation's mission and culture, which means your duties and responsibilities as a human resources manager may vary depending on the employer and work environment.

Usually,Human resources management is defined as the creation of systems that organize people within an organization.– such as staffing, compensation, benefits and job definition or design. For HR managers, employees are one of an organization's most valuable assets. Therefore, the job of a human resources manager is to nurture talent and foster individual and collective success, while maximizing profit and achieving company-wide goals.

Human resource management may be suitable for those interested in working at the intersection of business and people. But that is not the only factor that could motivate someone to choose this profession. For some, job prospects and earning potential matter. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)Job opportunities for HR managers are projected to increase by 9% between 2020 and 2030. While salary varies by location, level of experience, and a variety of other factors, the BLS reports that theThe median annual salary for HR managers in 2021 was $126,230.

Later in this guide, we'll outline the day-to-day duties and responsibilities of a hiring manager, along with some general steps you can take to become one.

What is the goal of HRM?

HRM strives to build, maintain and improve the relationship between an organization and its employees in order to retain and develop their talent. This is especially relevant today becauseDiversity and inclusion issues are at the forefront of conversations in the workplace.. Another goal of HRM is to build career paths for people and solve problems that arise within an organization, from compliance to leadership.

What are human resource managers and what do they do?

Human resource managers oversee a variety of duties, includingRecruit and onboard employees, develop talent and ensure the organization complies with employment-related legal obligations. They often assist other company leaders with employment-related concerns and help resolve disputes that arise between employees. These professionals also work with an organization's leaders to implement effective strategies for managing employees and helping them grow professionally.

While some organizations may only have one HR manager, others may appoint multiple managers to oversee specific areas within the department. Management roles within HR can have different titles, including Employee Relations Manager, Payroll Manager, and Recruiting Manager.

For more information, see our article on the7 Human Resources functions.

Requirements to become a human resources manager

curious abouthow to become a personal manager? Many HR professionals begin their journey with a bachelor's degree in human resources, but some discover the field after a career in another industry or a degree in a related discipline.If you start your career with a bachelor's degree, you can start as a human resources specialist.and, after a few years of experience, rise to a managerial position. However, some organizations prefer that you have a college degree before becoming a manager. An advanced education can make you more attractive to employers when looking for a job, but it's not the only way to gain the knowledge and skills needed to perform such roles.

Graduate programs such as a Master of Human Resource Management (MHRM) or a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in Human Resources can further prepare you to assume a leadership role in the field. While MHRM programs typically emphasize HR ethics, MBA programs typically examine the business side of HRM and may better position you for a leadership role within a company, a distinction to keep in mind when considering programs.

Thanks to the variousOnline-Master in Human Resources-Programmenavailable, you can earn an MHRM or an MBA while continuing to work full-time. Online and part-time programs can offer flexibility so you don't have to compromise your career or financial stability to continue your education. While not required, some hiring managers seek professional certification through theSociety for Personnel Management (SHRM). SHRM offers associate, bachelor's, and master's level certifications.

human resource development

HRD starts with a clear vision for employee development and is most often achieved through company-wide activities and training. Typically, the HRD team is tasked with developing these initiatives to position employees for career advancement and other related goals.

Roles such as instructional coordinator, training specialist and program developer may involve aspects of staff development. According to BLS data from May 2021,Teaching coordinators earn an average salary of $63,740 per yearand are designed to aaverage growth rate of 10% between 2020 and 2030.

Training and Development Specialists earned an average salary of $61,570 in 2021, based on BLS data as of May 2021. On averageEducation and training managerMake more money with an average salary of $120,130 per year.

What is the goal of HRD?

HRD aims to improve learning and performance at both an individual and organizational level. This can include promoting the personal goals of employees and the overall goals of the organization so that both can benefit from the relationship. HRD also identifies problems in these areas and helps develop systems to address them.

What are human resource developers and what do they do?

In some organizations, HR developers are key members of the HR team and oversee a variety of areas within an organization's HR function, including training, people development, leadership and leadership development, human performance technology, and organizational learning. On any given day, your responsibilities may include creating training programs, designing systems to attract and retain talent, and planning organizational development activities that may take the form of workshops and more.

A people development experience can prepare you for specialized training, instruction design, program development and general human resources positions. For example,Training and development specialists are responsible for the design of manuals, e-learning modules and course materials for embedded employees.. They can also assess employee needs through surveys or help evaluate training programs. Likewise, training and development managers deal with the training objectives at the macro level of an organization. What canoversee specialists and oversee training programs, staff and budgets.

Prerequisites for entry into personnel development

If you are interested in a career in human resources, a bachelor's degree is an option, as is a career in human resources development. There are courses specifically designed for this area, such as a bachelor's or master's degree in human resources development, but you can still apply for certain positions with a degree in a related field. A Masters in HRD usually covers the same area as a Masters in Human Resources, but a Masters in HRD can devote more time to the development and training aspect.

A combination of a bachelor's degree in business administration and a master's degree in human resources, or vice versa, could give you a foundation in both fields if you decide to branch out into one field or specialty. A career in human resources doesn’t always require a master’s degree, but it doescan help you be more competitive for certain roles.

Main differences and similarities

Some people consider people development to be a part of people management. That being said, they have two different goals and usually come with different responsibilities. Human development is primarily concerned with empowering employees and aligning their personal development goals with the broader goals of the organization or business. Human resource management has a broader focus on labor relations, compensation, benefits and compliance. HR managers also work on issues such as diversity and inclusion.

A professional with HRM experience could end up as a general manager of human resources, or a specialist in an area like benefits, payroll, or recruiting. In the meantime, HRD professionals may be better suited for positions as training and development specialists and managers, instructional designers, or program developers.

Although these two areas are different, there are a number of similarities between them. For example, both involve problem solving. HR managers can be called upon to resolve conflicts in an organization as they arise, and these often require thoughtful and creative solutions. Similarly, human resources developers can be tasked with designing new training methods and systems, which involves a similar problem-solving exercise. Because both roles involve working with people, interpersonal skills can prove helpful in developing and managing healthy relationships between employees and an organization.