Change and Performance - Training May Not Be The Answer
Introducing new products or services, bringing new people on board, developing a new process or procedure, installing new equipment, change seems to be the one constant in business today and change always seems to drive a need for training.
In conducting training needs analysis at any level, we need to understand that training may not be the solution, at least not the whole solution. Training is normally employed with the expectation of changing individual performance. While training can, and does change the ability of individuals to perform, on-the-job performance also depends on other factors that form a complex interconnected human performance system. For any system to produce a desired performance output, there are always a number of factors that must be managed.
Six-factors for human performance
The following is a six-factor system model for human performance. In principle if you manage all six well, you will get the desired performance. If you ignore any of the six, the desired system performance becomes less likely. Training can indeed be an important part of a system solution, but if other parts are not provided, training may not be effective.
1. Make expectations clear:
The expected outputs, and actions to produce results, must be made crystal clear. These include vision, values, mission, roles, goals and objectives, action plans, milestones and standards. If you don't tell them what is expected, don't expect results.
2. Provide necessary resources and conditions:
No one can produce the expected results if they do not have the process, methods, tools, materials, space, time, money, and people to do the job. A workplace that is badly designed, uncomfortable or unsafe also makes it difficult to perform. Given the means, they can deliver performance. If not...
3. Measure the performance of the system:
In order to determine if expected results are being achieved we need to measure the performance outputs. It might also be helpful to monitor in-process indicators, which affect system outputs. Using metrics we can identify progress toward targets, verify performance as desired, or identify problems and opportunities for improvement. We all pay attention to what gets measured.
4. Communicate progress and results:
Continuous and visual feedback on the performance and results achieved by the team and system allows for quick recognition and correction of problems and implementation of improvements. If individuals do not know how well the system is working it is difficult to achieve the desired results, much less make improvements. Performance knowledge empowers improvement.
5. Provide appropriate incentives:
Consequences are important. Positive rewards for good performance, congratulation, recognition and celebration, promote and encourage the behaviors that produced the results. Take care to avoid negative consequences for positive performance, or benefits for negative performance. If it felt good, they'll want to do it again.
6. Develop necessary competency:
Competency is the ability of an individual or team to successfully perform a specific task or activity. Sometimes if you are lucky, you can hire a competency off the street. More often development through training and practice is required. Competencies are built through learning activities, and through experience. A competency requires skills, knowledge, and attitude sufficient to do the job. A competency has observable measurable outputs and behaviors. An individual must have the capacity, both mental and physical to learn and to perform the task or activity. If you've got the skills and knowledge you can do the job.
The next time you ask how to improve performance, take a systems approach and remember to consider how to manage all six human performance factors.
We get exactly the results we manage for.
--
You have permission to publish this article free of charge, as long as the resource box is included with the article. If you do run my article, a courtesy reply to hsommerfeld@automatedlearning.com would be greatly appreciated. © 2004 Howard Sommerfeld
About The Author
Howard Sommerfeld has an extensive background in training that includes over twenty years experience in training management with major telecom equipment manufacturers. He has been responsible for development of major classroom, computer-based, web-based, and distance e-Learning initiatives, and has a depth of understanding of manufacturing and training management issues. He is keenly interested in trainer training, blended learning approaches that ensure learning transfer to workplace performance, human performance systems, and in demonstrating return on investment for training.
Howard is currently Director of Product Development at Automated Learning Corporation.
www.automatedlearning.com/products/welcome.html
hsommerfeld@automatedlearning.com
 Google News Updated : Mon, 06 Oct 2008 14:48:34 GMT Angelina Jolie Debuts New Movie and New Ink - Actress Archives
Actress Archives - Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt recently attended the movie premiere for Jolie’s new film “The Changeling” directed by Clint Eastwood, and the film wasn’t the only thing on display. Video: Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt at Premiere Angelina Jolie’s New Tattoo Publ.Date : Mon, 06 Oct 2008 14:09:31 GMT Mammals facing extinction threat - BBC News
BBC News - By Richard Black At least 25% of the world's mammal species are at risk of extinction, according to the first assessment of their status for a decade. Many, many mammals face extinction One Quarter of World's Mammals Face Extinction Publ.Date : Mon, 06 Oct 2008 12:37:47 GMT Ask.com Sails into Semantic Search to Differentiate from Google - eWeek
eWeek - By Clint Boulton Ask.com's search engine market share is minimal at best, but the company keeps on plugging away in application development to keep from being extinguished by Google, Yahoo and Microsoft. Ask.com Amps Up Search Again Ask.com, now with more answers Publ.Date : Mon, 06 Oct 2008 13:04:07 GMT Postseason ace Beckett shelled as Angels win 5-4 - The Associated Press
The Associated Press - BOSTON (AP) - Josh Beckett waited four extra days for a chance to show his postseason brilliance. That shine wore off with his very first pitch. Video: Angels, White Sox Each Force a Game 4 Red Sox's injuries could prove costly vs. Angels Publ.Date : Mon, 06 Oct 2008 14:11:21 GMT For Some Animals, There's No Place at Home - U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report - By Amanda Gardner MONDAY, Oct. 6 (HealthDay News) -- Exposing your children to the joys of pet ownership may, in some cases, also mean exposing them to infections and injuries. Keep Kids From Exotic Animals, Docs Say Doctors: No hamsters or exotic pets for young kids Publ.Date : Mon, 06 Oct 2008 13:06:44 GMT Obama accuses McCain of looking for distractions - CNN
CNN - (CNN) -- Sen. Barack Obama on Sunday charged that Sen. John McCain's campaign is launching "Swift boat-style attacks" on him instead of addressing the country's problems. Health Care: Coverage -- But at What Price? Health Care Destruction Publ.Date : Sun, 05 Oct 2008 19:30:50 GMT PGA -- 2008 Turning Point Championship Recap - Pro Fantasy Sports
Pro Fantasy Sports - Hello in the second of the “Fall Finish” series, a unknown rookie birdied the 72 nd hole to earn a hefty paycheck and a spot on the PGA tour for the next two years. Johnson earns first win at Turning Stone Rookie posts first victory Publ.Date : Mon, 06 Oct 2008 14:07:14 GMT Increase Search Engine Traffic |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... Attitudes are more important than facts. Dr. Karl Menninger... Read More Consultant's Perspective...The threat of violence whether it emanates from a... Read More "I'm in an abusive relationship," sighed Andrew. "My bookkeeper annoys... Read More The following question is usually debated a lot amongst IT... Read More Go into any bookstore and you will find a big... Read More Suggested practice for HR personnelMuslims now form one of the... Read More All maintenance activities of the workforce must be documented, this... Read More In the first part of this two part article, I... Read More Nearly all leaders I've encountered are underachievers. They're getting a... Read More Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More This article relates to the Senior/Top Level management of an... Read More It's the middle of the night. You've woken up with... Read More Whether your company holds one meeting a week or dozens... Read More Office politics! It's just another way of saying: "The employees... Read More If your organization has people, then interpersonal skills are needed.I... Read More Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More I am not writing this to create a list of... Read More Boisterous, Omnipotent, Self- indulgent Sociopath. Avoid the B.O.S.S. syndrome with... Read More Do you want to measure your workers' level of satisfaction?... Read More Picture the scene. Anthony pops down to the guardhouse, partly... Read More Most people treat meetings as a free resource that can... Read More An allegation of harassment in the workplace is a growing... Read More Bad meetings are a cultural malady that senior executives pass... Read More Successful enterprise building requires seven elements. These are:1. People, who... Read More Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
Adsense
websites
Just The Facts
Workplace Security Plan: Does Your Company Have One?
The Devil We Know
Which ITIL Process Should We Implement First?
Nine Steps to Help You Develop Your Potential
Islam in the Workplace
How To Decrease Downtime and Increase Productivity
Character: Is It Necessary In Leadership? (Part Two)
The Leadership Imperative: Making Your Leadership Your Life
Innovation Management ? Rigorous data analysis
Tales from the Corporate Frontlines: Senior Management and Directional Change
Bye-Bye Boring Meetings! Make Yours Remarkable!
Effective Meetings: Why Most Meetings are a Waste of Time
Office Politics
Get It Done! Soft Skills not Hard Tools are Required
Business Innovation ? Value versus Quality
Top 10 Things NOT To Tell Angel and VC Investors
Are You A B.O.S.S. -- Boisterous, Omnipotent, Self Indulgent, Sociopath
Employee Surveys: a Strategic Tool for Positive Change
Problem Solving - Think Cleopatras Ass
Quick Tip - Effective Meetings Earn a Profit
Indecent Proposal in the Workplace ? An Overview of Workplace Harassment & Employer Liability
13 Comments on Bad Meetings
Miracle Max On Market Breakthroughs
Business Innovation ? Ignoring Content
Affordable and Reliable Web Hosting Starting at $4.49/Month
Creativity and Innovation Management :- Thought Leadership
Leadership is only sustainable when leaders consistently come up with... Read More
Relationship Building - 5 Tips and 5 Questions
And is isn't hard - it's more about focusing on... Read More
Intercultural Management
The role of a manager is evolving in response to... Read More
Objects in the Mirror are Further Than They Appear
Definition From http://www.merriamwebster.com -- "Virtual: - being such in essence... Read More
Business Fails When We Do Not Talk
You may remember being told as a child, "Keep quiet!"... Read More
The Seven Cs: Partnership Danger Signs - Conflict Becoming the Norm ? Part 2
A series of articles exploring the seven critical areas that... Read More
The High, High Price of Distrust
A paper manufacturer with over 300 employees once announced that... Read More
Communicate To The Four Main Personality Types
You probably know this already, but there are generally held... Read More
The Most Important Thing Youll Ever Do
The wellspring of confidence is belief. When you believe in... Read More
Focus Leads To Nonprofit Success: Is Your Organization Rowing or Drifting
Picture yourself standing on the bank of a river watching... Read More
Why Your Business Needs an E-Mail Policy
Why is it imperative to have a company E-Mail Policy?... Read More
When Being A Facilitator DOESNT Help
I talked with a group of internal consultants last week... Read More
The Leadership Imperative: Making Your Leadership Your Life
Nearly all leaders I've encountered are underachievers. They're getting a... Read More
Four Corners of a Triangle: Why Organizations Succeed or Fail
When we want to hire people for a corporation or... Read More
Innovation Management ? does the idea fit with the firm?
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
Why Saying Well Done Works
Encouraged by the recognition, Sarah Lewsiton went home from work... Read More
The Survey Feedback Process for Organizational Development and Change
THE PURPOSE OF SURVEY FEEDBACK:In globally competitive environments, organizations are... Read More
Plan for Business Success - 6 Reasons to Succession Plan
Succession Planning provides many valuable assets to your business. Yet... Read More
Listening Strategically
Usually, we're most interested in communicating outwardly; getting our messages... Read More
Agendas Make Meetings Productive
Having an agenda template that works well for you, week... Read More
Hiring a Book Keeping Service
Whether you choose to do your own books and accounting... Read More
HRM: Contributing to Well-being or Ill-being at Work?
If you were to take the people out of an... Read More
Is Your Company in Need of Family Therapy?
How Companies Are Like FamiliesLike a family, a company is... Read More
Vampire Meetings and How To Slay Them
Meetings can be like mythical vampires ? sucking the life... Read More
What Every Manager Should Know About How to Enhance the Motivational Climate of the Workplace
It has been well documented that employees' productivity and job... Read More
Business Management |