It can be very frustrating to see poor training results following the completion of a new corporate learning project.
As a Learning Leader, you may think you have taken all of the right steps to ensure the best training and development event possible.
You had a strong team of Instructional Designers design the program based on your brief. Experienced technical developers created the program that followed. You even hired a team of contract corporate trainers to carry out the training company-wide. So why did it fail?
If you started the learning project without a strong training needs assessment, you've likely found the culprit.
There are many reasons to provide employee training like:
It's time to update employees on process improvements
Roll-out new equipment or technology
Address changes in laws or industry regulations
Realign job functions due to restructuring
Deal with performance problems
Regardless of the need, it is important to identify skills or performance gaps before investing the money into the program to support these training objectives it.
The issue for many companies, however, is that the training needs assessment process is skipped because management may find that it is a waste of resources or may not know how to complete one correctly.
Here are 5 ways to achieve your next learning objective using a training needs assessment to ensure effective training.
Ensure the training addresses actual business goals and objectives
The manager or project leader may think the training they have identified is the right course of action, but once a good Instructional Designer begins to ask the right questions, they may uncover a different issue altogether. To ensure the program meets the desired outcomes, the training plan may have to change. The training needs assessment asks and answers the basic questions of who, why, what, when and how to identify the right gaps.
Improve learning and retention
When creating a corporate training program, identify who will require the training and customize the course content to that specific audience. The more relevant the information is to the group, the better the learning and retention, and more successful the training. Also, depending on the target audience, the trainer may explore different delivery methods to enhance the learning process.
Achieve a greater return on the time invested
From the project leader who identifies a training need, to the trainer or facilitator who builds the program and delivers the session, to the employees who participate, there is often significant time spent by everyone involved. Conducting a training needs assessment will deliver a higher return on that investment ensuring a cost benefit across the board.
Benefit the bottom line
Successful corporate training programs provide employees with the knowledge, skills and abilities needed to improve job performance and lead to greater productivity and achieving organizational goals.
Save time and money
While some project leaders may think a needs assessment is an unnecessary waste of valuable resources, it can actually save time and money by ensuring the right training program is developed, implemented and delivered, and the employees gain the appropriate knowledge and skills to perform their jobs.
Conduct a training needs analysis for your next training program and close the skills gap in your organization, starting with this download this free Training Needs Assessment Checklist.
It will guide you through the key areas to cover, and outline the training needs assessment questions to ask.
If you can’t complete the training needs assessment process in-house, consider hiring a contract Instructional Designer. Their expertise in your industry and the learning space can make or break the success of your project. Once engaged they can focus on best practice learning strategies that include:
If you need assistance in performing a training needs assessment, your company may want to work with an external corporate training partner who specializes in this area – this will streamline the process and take pressure off your internal resources.
The global training experts at TrainingFolks, and one of our experienced associates will be pleased to walk through the steps with you.