Short Term Developmental Assignments (STDAs) are an increasingly popular tool for businesses to accomplish specific, finite projects and to develop employees while containing costs. Domestic STDAs really seemed to take off in the U.S. in the aftermath of the Great Recession. Concurrently, international short-term assignments, which have been on the radar longer, grew in popularity as companies looked for ways to reduce the cost of international relocation.
Length of STDAs
An STDA allows businesses to deploy talent where needed without making the financial commitment inherent in a permanent domestic relocation move or a long-term international assignment. Although an STDA can range from a few months to a year or more (if it’s a rotational assignment), most U.S.-based companies try to limit the assignments to one year or less to maintain the associated tax benefits.
Benefits of STDAs
Companies often use STDAs to develop high potential, junior-level employees. The hope is that the staff member will be a strong contributor in the host location while improving his or her professional competencies, mastering new skills, and honing leadership and managerial abilities.
For the employer, the aim is not only to complete the project successfully but also to develop a promising employee. Ideally, the STDA contributes to the employee’s satisfaction with the organization and improves the company’s chances of retaining the employee for the long term. A successful STDA also makes the employee a more valuable asset for the organization.
Learn More about Short Term Developmental Assignments
Within the mobility arena, short-term developmental assignments are gaining traction with companies looking to support business growth and employee development while controlling costs.This creative strategy allows businesses to deploy talent where needed without making the financial commitment inherent in a permanent domestic move or a long-term international assignment, but not without careful consideration.
