e-Learning and Training Alignment
Once regarded as a cost, e-learning and training investments are now a means for achieving strategic business results and delivering a valuable return.
How exactly does a learning solution relate to a business objective?
The need for learning solutions doesn't emerge by itself. Learning solutions arise when a business driver calls for a certain type of performance. e-Learning, simulations, rich media modules, virtual classes and online books are a few of the ways that companies can deliver scalable learning programs into the flow of work, creating minimal disruption and maximum productivity.
The following six best practices are keys to aligning e-learning and training with business to deliver optimal results:
Identify the business objectives and partner with stakeholders. Speaking with managers and consulting sources such as annual reports, quarterly reports, press releases and internal publications will help you identify company business objectives.
Understand the business need. When approached by departmental managers, try to ask questions about the bigger picture so the learning program can be designed to achieve that goal.
Establish goals. Set goals for the learning solution. The program goals define what you and the stakeholder aim to accomplish as a result of the learning solution.
Define performance requirements. Re-engage your stakeholder to define the specific behaviors that will help them reach their goals. Whatever the necessary performance may be, make sure that it is clearly stated and understood.
Align the learning solution. What kinds of skills need to be developed? As you break down the specific skills, identify if you already have existing content that addresses the need. If not, perhaps there is content that already exists that you could purchase. If the skill is highly proprietary, a custom route may be appropriate.
Develop and execute a measurement plan. After determining the goals and appropriate learning solution, you are ready to develop a measurement plan. Data collection is a critical piece of the process since the analysis will only be as good as the data itself. Part of managing the relationship with your stakeholder will involve gaining agreement on the measurement plan before you begin to execute.
e-Learning and Training Alignment Resources
- Video: Strategy-based Learning Drives Business Performance
SAP's Michelle Braden shares how learning, talent management and business performance connect at SAP to drive business performance and support overall business goals. - Guide: Guide to Targeted Learning
Beyond using e-learning as a replacement for face-to-face training, learning has progressed to include a blend of approaches and technologies, designed to appeal to different learning styles and to be available on-demand. - Blog: Aberdeen Group connects Training, Performance and Business Success
Learning Reimagined July 27, 2011 by Mollie Lombardi, Aberdeen Group
"...engagement, as I and my research here at Aberdeen have defined it, is all about alignment. It's all about how you tap into the skills, desires and motivations of an individual and align them with what the business needs to achieve its goals...." - White Paper: Best Practices for Targeting, Aligning, and Measuring Learning
Drawing on the collective experience of SkillSoft customers, this paper offers a set of best practices for identifying learning needs that support business priorities, align a solution and measure results. - White Paper: Linking Learning to Talent Management: The Key to Accelerating Workforce Performance
Only a systematic approach to the alignment of human capital with the business needs can ensure the future viability of an organization. In this white paper you'll learn how to maximize the potential of your talent management strategy by linking it to business strategy.
