Training

At Claricom, we know training backwards! …. from the post-implementation review all the way back to initial concept.

Training should be viewed as a process – not an event.  Done well, training can help to improve your business.  Done poorly and not only will it waste your time and money, but it can sap the morale and motivation of your staff.

Take the Test!

Which of these statements apply to your organisation’s training programs?

• Other departments try to throw tasks over the “training fence” that are not really training issues at all.
• Scoping for new training programs is poorly defined.
• There is insufficient planning before training design starts.
• Not enough consideration is given to pre-course work, post-course work or how the new knowledge and skills will be integrated into the business.
• Training development goes over-time and over-budget.
• It is difficult to get subject-matter experts to devote time to assist with training development.
• Although there is recognition that that training is important, this is not reflected in key result areas (KRAs).
• Instructional designers spend too much time on the mechanics of writing material and not enough time really understanding the business and content areas.
• Instructional design processes assume a simple, clean processes (brand new content with no changes) – rather than reflect reality that information will be copied from various sources, drafts will need to be reviewed, and rework after the pilot will usually be necessary.
• Once complete, training materials are not stored in a consistent format making it difficult for future training designs to re-use elements.
• Designers waste time duplicating content information between participant guides, instructor guides, and PowerPoint presentations.
• Designers take longer to develop course-ware because they do not use the advanced features of the authoring tool.  For example, in Word, they are not using custom toolbars, macros, styles, Auto Text or outline view.
• Although the feedback sheets are generally positive, you are left with the uneasy feeling that the training wasn’t really effective at improving business performance.

If one or more of these apply in your organisation, don’t worry, you are not alone.  In our experience working with the training departments of some of Australia’s largest corporations, these issues are unfortunately all too common.

The bad news is that these issues will be costing your organisation:

• Training development will take longer and cost more than it needs to
• Other departments (your internal clients) will not value training and will be less reluctant to devote time and resources to future training projects.
• Participants will view training as an interruption to their work rather than as an opportunity to help them achieve greater success in the organisation.

The other bad news is that there is no magic bullet – no simple “quick-fix” that will make all these problems go away.

The good news is that by carefully planning your next training project with these issues in mind, you can dramatically reduce their impact and improve the overall quality of the training.

Claricom is experienced at all stages of training development.  Why not give us a call for a no-obligation and free discussion of your training requirements.