The Top 10: Aligning the
HR Bodies of Knowledge
There is a great deal of alignment
between HR graduate degree program
courses, certification requirements,
historical consultant models, and
industry demands. In general they all
focus on the top 10 traditional functional
areas of modern HR practice:
(1) employee relations, (2) employment
law, (3) staffing, (4) compensation,
(5) training, (6) development, (7)
HRIS, (8) performance management,
(9) strategy, and (10) global HR.
What needs to be emphasized is the
absolute necessity—from the perspective
of business and industry—of having
a critical depth of understanding
in business acumen. Furthermore, not
only having the knowledge, but having
work experience and business savvy.
In addition, while the functional
HR domains taught in schools and
tested in certifications appear fairly
well aligned, HR thought leaders are
pushing for evolution and in some
cases revolution. It would be interesting
if B-school courses were renamed to
align with the Ulrich, et al. competency
model (credible activist, change champion,
capability builder, HR innovator
and integrator, technology proponent,
strategic positioner), or to align with
SHRM’s “Behavioral Competencies”
such as navigation, business acumen,
ethical practice, consultation, critical
evaluation, and communication.
B-Schools and HR Leaders
Business schools have had a hit-or-miss
track record of advancing the HR profession.
It is true that they have been a
major purveyor of passing on business
acumen and HR knowledge to each
new generation of HR professionals. In
this role, business schools have provided
business language and context to
graduates which are taken with them