Needs Analysis
Do you think training is the issue? Training doesn’t solve all performance problems. A training need assessment is a process of identifying performance-based problems and pinpointing those problems that can be addressed through training. This type of assessment will determine the performance gap (examining the current performance against the optimal performance) that must be improved to increase productivity, response time, customer satisfaction, etc. A training needs assessment will also evaluate your current training to see if it is relevant as well as establish a direction for future training development.
There are many factors that impact performance including tools, incentives, environment, teams, and access to information.
A needs assessment is most important so that the right solution is determined for the problem at hand.
Audience Analysis
Designing and building a training program is not an easy 1-2-3. You must take into consideration the audience – who will be receiving this training. Group A might be all engineers whereas Group B might be an entire sales force…the personality and behavioral makeup of these two audiences are on opposite ends of the spectrum.
Understanding your audience means gathering data through focus groups, interviews, conversations with SMEs, surveys/questionnaires, observing, etc.
Task Analysis
Training is only relevant if the audience can apply it to their jobs. It must be task-oriented and focused on improving actual on-the-job performance. Task analysis will help define the training’s performance objectives for the audience.
Delivery Method Analysis
What is the best approach to training? Instructor-led, web-based, eLearning, self-study? This analysis will determine what the best style(s) of training is for the target audience. TrainSmart believes in a blended learning approach, which uses a variety of teaching and learning techniques. People learn in all different ways so by reaching out to all types of learners your training will be most effective.
Project Management
Good communication and organization equal positive, successful results. TrainSmart feels the best practice for project management is to set clear project deliverables that have set milestones along the path to project completion.
Design
A builder would never start building without a blueprint from the architect. The same goes for content development! The course design comes from the analyses, especially task analysis. Using the performance objectives uncovered from the task analysis, content developers create a whiteboard for the course. This is a preliminary plan for all lessons and modules with their associated performance objectives and activities. There is also the proposed method of evaluation for the course.
The course design is reviewed by the Project manager(s) and SMEs before the course development occurs.
Development
Full development begins only after the client has approved the course design – outline, performance objectives, activities, and evaluation. Each lesson will contain the objectives, activities, evaluation, and feedback. Instructional designers use the blueprint, “course design” to build the content for each lesson. It’s the trainer’s job to bring the objectives, content, and activities to life with motivation, articulation, and excitement.
Review, Review & More Review…
After development, it’s the job of the SMEs to conduct a thorough review of the content. This is to ensure the content is technically accurate. It is the job of the instructional designer to take the information gathered and deliver it in a user–friendly, non-technical style of writing. The SMEs will double-check the content makes sense and is giving the correct message. On a different level of review, editors must check for grammar, spelling, formatting, and style consistency.
Pilot
Before course rollout, a pilot takes place with actual learners. This is a chance for the trainers and client to review the course one last time before its implementation to the participants, department or even company-wide audience.
This is an integral part of the development process itself. It allows the development team – including the training specialists, SMEs, instructional designers, and instructors, to gather feedback from actual participants in a real-world setting.
