Albert S. Humphrey American consultant, scientist Date of Birth: 02.06.1926 Country: USA

1. Biography of Albert Humphrey
2. Education and Career
3. Personal Life and Legacy

Biography of Albert Humphrey

Albert S. Humphrey (June 2, 1926 – October 31, 2005) was an American consultant and scholar specializing in business and management theory, organizational management, and cultural change. He initially planned to pursue a career in chemistry but later shifted his focus to business management, becoming an expert in the field.

Education and Career

Humphrey received his education at the University of Illinois, where he specialized in chemical technology. He obtained a master's degree in the same field from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Later, he pursued a diploma in business management at Harvard University, further expanding his knowledge and skills.

During his time as an employee at the Stanford Research Institute, Humphrey conducted research that led to the development of the technique of group planning, which later transformed into SOFT analysis and then SWOT analysis.

One of Humphrey's clients, W.H. Smith, constructed an annual budget with a focus on long-term planning. The program developed for Smith became the first to involve employees in business planning. It is believed that this program eventually evolved into the 'Investors in People' system. Humphrey laid the foundations of the 'Team Action Management' program during his time at Stanford. Its core concepts have been referred to by prominent politicians, economists, and entrepreneurs.

Throughout his career, Humphrey worked as a consultant for more than 100 different companies. By 2005, he had been recognized in various prestigious lists, including 'Who's Who in the World,' 'Debrett's People of Today,' 'Who's Who in the City,' and 'The Directory of Directors.' In 2004, he was included in the seventh edition of 'Who's Who in Science and Engineering.'

Personal Life and Legacy

Humphrey was married twice in his lifetime. His first marriage brought him four children but eventually ended in divorce. After relocating to London, he married Myriam de Baere, with whom he spent the rest of his life. Their daughter, Stephania, currently works as an osteopath in London and Bristol.

Albert Humphrey passed away on October 31, 2005, at the age of 79. At the time of his death, he was a renowned theorist and practitioner in the field of business management.