HR Competency Study

The future of HR starts here.

Round 8 of the HRCS study is about to begin! This study, conducted by The University of Michigan and The RBL Group is the most comprehensive study on the competencies of effective HR professionals.

Register My HR Team

Dave Ulrich talks about the next round of the HR Competency Study

Why should my company participate in HRCS?

  • Free 360 assessments and Feedback Reports

    Individual participants with 5 or more completed ratings and companies with 5 or more participants will receive customized reports: a $250 value for each individual and a $300 value for each company.

  • Up-to-date regional and global benchmarks

    The HR Competency Study uses a 360-degree approach to gather comprehensive data to provide clear insights of the impact that HR has in the business world. Qualifying participants will receive an individual feedback report comparing their results to company, regional, and global benchmarks.

  • Free Access to feedback conferences

    In the first quarter of 2021, participants are invited to a feedback session hosted by one of our regional partners. For a nominal fee, these sessions will include a review of the study results, examine current trends, and discuss future HR agendas.

“You will be a partner in creating the next successful generation of HR.”
— Dave Ulrich, The RBL Group

Overview

For 30 years we have defined the competencies of HR professionals.

HRCS is the largest global study on HR with over 87,000 ratings spanning 30 years. Round 8 of this study seeks to answer the questions, “How can you as an HR professional standout in your business? How does the maturity and sophistication of the HR department impact business performance? What competencies are most important for your professional development, and how do businesses build capabilities?

Download a copy of the HRCS Round 7 Report.

Dave Ulrich

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How will my company benefit by participating?

    The results will help your company by comparing your individual and collective competencies against global benchmarks. Building on this base, you and your colleagues will then be able to better implement business strategies. You will also be able to prepare competency-based developmental action plans for yourselves and for your department in order to increase your impact on your company’s performance. Professionals from participating companies will also be invited to attend a regional, one-day feedback conference in which the results of the study are reviewed and HR trends impacting businesses are examined.

  • What are the objectives of the HRCS?

    Our ongoing objective of the HRCS is to evaluate how HR competencies are changing and how those competencies drive business performance. In this round of the study, we will focus on:

    1. The maturity and sophistication of the HR department. Does the maturity and sophistication of the HR department impact business performance?
    2. Business impact. Is it the practice or the outcome of the practice that has the business impact?
    3. Practice. How do businesses build capabilities? Do business processes, systems, technologies build capabilities?
    4. Change. Does the environment for the business change what it needs from HR?
  • Who is conducting the HRCS?

    The Human Resource Competency Study is sponsored by the Ross School of Business at the University Michigan and The RBL Group with assistance from regional partners around the globe. The HRCS is directed by Mike Ulrich, Patrick Wright, and Erin Burns with collaboration from Scott DeRue, Dave Ulrich, and Wayne Broadbank. These individuals have combined to write dozens of books and hundreds of articles about the field of Human Resources that have shaped the role of HR professionals for over 30 years.

  • What commitements are involved in participation?

    Company: Identify five to ten HR professionals in the organization to participate in a 360 degree survey. Individuals may come from the corporate level or other organizational units. Partially completed rater surveys will not count towards the minimum number needed for a report.

Registration

Register to participate in HRCS 8

Round 8 of the HRCS Study begins