Employees in an organization commonly encounter workplace problems. No matter which level a person is on the organizational chart, he or she probably had trouble in the workplace at least once. When management sees problems, they often turn to training as a first-line solution to all work-related problems without realizing that lack of knowledge is just one of the reasons for poor performance. In fact, there are many other performance improvement interventions that can fix work-related issues. This is where conducting needs analysis becomes important. Instructional designers frequently neglect this step in the ISD process for various reasons, such as low budget or lack of time. Prior to meeting with an instructional designer to discuss a new training course, managers should assess every situation they face at work and properly diagnose the root cause of the problem. Once the root is identified, it’ll be easier to decide on the appropriate method of correcting the … [Read more...] about Does Training Always Fix Workplace Problems?
performance support
Leveraging Performance Support Tools and “Just In Time” Training
Today, I want to talk about Performance Support. As we all know, the main difference between training and Performance Support is that training is trying to fill the gap between the missing and the needed knowledge while the Performance Support tools provide on the job support when it is needed. Unlike training, which often includes some of the “nice to know” information, Performance Support tools offer “just enough” assistance to get the job done. Naturally, Performance Support can be either Electronic (EPSS) or Paper-based. Instructional designers have been developing quick reference guides and job aids to supplement their training courses for ages. Nowadays, most of us are used to having the information available to us when we need it at any time and place. This is where the Electronic Support System comes in handy. Many EPSSs offer a contextual, step-by-step, immediate solution to people’s needs. When instructional designers conduct their initial meeting with the client, they … [Read more...] about Leveraging Performance Support Tools and “Just In Time” Training