Hence, we've spent huge amounts on tests, interview techniques, assessment centres, etc. And, we've asked for rigor, research support, validity, etc. Thirdly, we've had the quaint assumption that our employees are planning careers with us, will continue to work for us, and will comply with our processes. It is all about measurement, building processes, and control. In some organisations all three assumptions are very questionable.
Many businesses change with frightening rapidity, whilst others repeatedly struggle to change.
Jobs, and perhaps whole management levels, disappear, whilst new kinds of job evolve. The information carefully collected by HR is ignored when decisions are made. Executives seem to decide on their experience of individuals, not the information about individuals. HR decisions are the products of hunches and political processes. And, employees don't play the promotion game - they are happy to stay for a short time, better their CVs, and move on.