# Management Development Program (MDP): In-Company MDPs for Managers

> What a management development program (MDP) is, in-company vs open MDPs at business schools, typical modules and formats, and how Bodhih designs custom MDPs.

- Source: https://bodhih.com/management-development-program/
- Publisher: Bodhih Training (Bengaluru, India; since 2008)
- Last updated: 2026-10-24
- Contact: solutions@bodhih.com · +91 99000 11601

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A management development program (MDP) is a structured course that builds the leadership, people-management and business skills of working managers. In India, "MDP" is the usual term in public sector units, manufacturing firms and business schools. Companies either nominate managers to open MDPs at institutes or commission an in-company MDP designed around their own goals, which is what Bodhih provides.

A management development program (MDP) is a structured course that builds the leadership, people-management and business skills of working managers. Companies either nominate managers to open MDPs at institutes or commission an in-company MDP. Bodhih designs in-company MDPs from a needs analysis, as workshops or multi-month learning journeys, measured before and after on AssessAll.

## What is a management development program?

An MDP is training for people who already manage, or are about to. Unlike a degree, it is short, practical and focused on the job: how to lead a team, make decisions, manage performance, communicate upward and outward, and think about the business beyond one's own function. Programs range from a two-day workshop to a [learning journey](https://bodhih.com/learning-journeys/) of several months.

## What is the difference between an open MDP and an in-company MDP?

|  | Open MDP (business school or institute) | In-company (custom) MDP |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Participants | Managers from many companies | Your managers only |
| Content | Fixed syllabus for a broad audience | Built from your goals, competency framework and cases |
| Dates and venue | Set by the institute | Your dates, your venue, or [live virtual](https://bodhih.com/live-virtual-classes/) |
| Best for | Exposure to peers from other industries; a few nominees | A cohort of 12 or more who need the same shift |
| Measurement | Usually participant feedback | Can be measured before and after against agreed competencies |

Many organisations use both: open MDPs for a few senior nominees, and an in-company MDP for the wider manager population. For published fee benchmarks, including business-school programs, see our [corporate training cost guide](https://bodhih.com/corporate-training-cost-in-india/).

## What modules does an MDP usually include?

A typical in-company MDP draws on these modules, chosen after a needs analysis:

- **Leading people:** [delegation](https://bodhih.com/effective-delegation-techniques/), one-on-ones, feedback and coaching, managing former peers.
- **Managing performance:** setting goals, reviewing performance and handling under-performance.
- **Communication and influence:** presenting to senior leaders, influencing without authority, [stakeholder management](https://bodhih.com/stakeholder-management-skills/).
- **Thinking and deciding:** strategic thinking, problem solving and decision making.
- **Leading change:** taking a team through restructuring, new technology or new ways of working, including AI.
- **Self-management:** emotional intelligence, resilience and time management.
- **Business acumen:** how the manager's decisions show up in cost, revenue and customer outcomes.

## Which MDP fits which level of manager?

| Level | Typical focus | Related Bodhih program |
| --- | --- | --- |
| First-time managers (0–18 months in role) | Identity shift, delegation, feedback, one-on-ones | [First-time manager learning journey](https://bodhih.com/first-time-manager-learning-journey/) |
| Mid-level managers and team leads | Coaching, goal setting, conflict, building future leaders | [Accelerated leadership program](https://bodhih.com/accelerated-leadership-program/) |
| Managers of managers, function heads | Strategy, influence, leading through other leaders | [Manager of managers learning journey](https://bodhih.com/manager-of-managers-learning-journey/) |
| Global capability centre leaders | Influencing headquarters, global and hybrid teams | [GCC leadership development program](https://bodhih.com/gcc-leadership-development-program/) |

See all options under [leadership training programs in India](https://bodhih.com/leadership-skills-training-in-india/) and [learning journeys](https://bodhih.com/learning-journeys/).

## How does Bodhih design an in-company MDP?

1. **Needs analysis.** Interviews with sponsors, a review of your competency framework, and an optional baseline assessment or [360-degree feedback](https://bodhih.com/360-degree-feedback/).
2. **Design with the ADDIE model.** Modules, cases from your business, practice activities and on-the-job assignments between sessions.
3. **Delivery.** In person at your offices or plants anywhere in India, at Bodhih's Bengaluru centre, overseas, or as live virtual sessions. Long programs run as a learning journey: workshops spaced over months with coaching and assignments in between.
4. **Measurement.** Pre- and post-assessments on AssessAll, Bodhih's AI assessment platform, plus manager feedback 60 to 90 days later.

Bodhih has designed and run programs for 2,000+ companies since 2008. To discuss an MDP for your managers, write to solutions@bodhih.com or use the (/contact-us/).

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the full form of MDP?

MDP stands for Management Development Program (or Programme). It is a short, practical course that develops the management and leadership skills of working managers, run either as an open program at an institute or as an in-company program for one organisation.

### How long is a management development program?

Open MDPs at business schools usually run for two to six days. In-company MDPs range from a two-day workshop to a learning journey of three to nine months that combines workshops, coaching and on-the-job projects.

### Who should attend an MDP?

Managers at any level who lead people or are about to: newly promoted first-time managers, mid-level managers and team leads, and senior managers who lead other managers. The content and depth change with the level.

### Is an MDP the same as a leadership development program?

They overlap heavily. "Management development program" is common in Indian public sector, manufacturing and business-school language, and tends to include business and management skills. "Leadership development program" is more common in private companies and global firms and puts more weight on leading people and change.

### Can an MDP be run online?

Yes. Bodhih runs MDP modules as live virtual sessions of 2.5 to 3 hours each, which suits managers spread across cities or countries. Many organisations combine an in-person launch with virtual sessions in between.

Last reviewed 24 Oct 2026 by [Siddharthan VGJ](https://bodhih.com/siddharthan-vgj/), Founder · Bodhih Training, Bengaluru