Using technology to shift learning and references closer to the work is brilliant, except when it is the wrong learning or references. That's true in the classroom and online. Employees reject programs that are extraneous, bloated, or obsolete.
In the classroom, instructors step up and make fixes when the training is not right. An instructor adds an example to make training more relevant. Another reminds the employee of all that he already knows. Yet another instructor provides an opportunity to tackle a problem that is within the employees' abilities to assure a successful experience. And another links the example to the concept, when the faces go blank. Finally, a savvy instructor recognizes that the class, as now written, ignores a new competitor or economic reality. She adjusts to assure that the class is timely.
When we move to on-demand and workplace-based resources and experiences, analysis must supply the anticipatory smarts. Through analysis, we answer these questions: What do our people need? What is top of mind? What is already known? What will add the most value? What must they know by heart? What can they seek as they need it? What might get in the way of performance?
What is performance analysis?
Performance analysis is planning. It is how workforce learning professionals figure out what to do, in a world where you can't do everything, respond to every request, or meet every need. Analysts are charged with taking a fresh, irreverent look at the work, worker, and workplace.
How it works
Analysis protects us from unpleasant surprises. Imagine the following scenario: your organization invested in a new blended program to enable salespeople to sell a new product without analysis. You were enthusiastic about this blended approach because it combined vivid classroom exercises with current technology, including an online resource center and community.
Four months after rollout, sales disappointed and participation in the online center is slim to none. What's up?
Unfortunately, you missed red flags that an analysis would have unearthed:
- Managers were not keen on the new product.
- Managers were not keen on the online center or community and had little experience with either approach.
- Salespeople shared this resistance to the product, but were somewhat intrigued with an online resource center to answer questions that emerge.
- Salespeople lacked confidence about their ability to talk about and demonstrate the new product.
- Leadership was not entirely certain how they wanted to position the product.
- Salespeople are on the road and not all are equipped to access the online resources.
- Incentives had not been shifted to embrace the new product.
Results
Strategy, cost reduction, systems, "on demand," outcomes, speed - today, those are the words we hear. Expectations are high and grow ever higher. They link us not just to learning, but to what really matters - graduation rates, sales, safety, retention, and service. This is the role we sought when we dubbed ourselves performance consultants, not trainers. The only way to play on that team, in that league, is with the insights provided by analysis.