As part of the needs analysis, Wieser Learning Solutions first determines whether employees actually need training. In some cases where training is requested, it may be appropriate to look at other factors, such as leadership, organizational culture, or operating procedures to determine why there is a performance gap.
Training is needed when an employee lacks the necessary skills or knowledge to perform a task. This often happens when the task is new or if the task has changed significantly. When the employee has the necessary skills and knowledge, a job aid or performance support may be more appropriate to recommend. These provide guidance or reminders to perform the task correctly.
Let’s learn more about job aids and other types of performance support.
Checklists
Checklists provide a step-by-step guide to performing a task. They are easy to use and can help ensure that all necessary steps are completed. However, they may not be useful for complex tasks that require decision-making or critical thinking. See a checklist example.
Flowcharts
Flowcharts provide a visual representation of a process, showing the sequence of steps and how they relate to each other. They can be useful for complex tasks that require a detailed understanding of the process. However, they can be difficult to create and may not be useful for tasks that are straightforward.
Decision trees
Decision trees are similar to flowcharts but are designed to help employees make decisions based on specific criteria. They are useful for tasks that require critical thinking and decision-making. However, they can be time-consuming to create and may not be useful for tasks that are simple or straightforward. See an interactive decision tree example.
Quick reference guides
Quick reference guides provide key information or steps in a concise and easily accessible format. They can be useful for tasks that are frequently performed but may not be comprehensive enough for more complex tasks.
Standard operating procedures (SOPs)
SOPs are detailed documents that provide instructions on how to perform a task or complete a process. They are useful for complex tasks that require a high level of accuracy and consistency. However, they can be time-consuming to create and may not be easily accessible in a fast-paced work environment.
Interactive job aids
Interactive job aids use technology to provide a more engaging and interactive experience. They can be useful for tasks that require a high level of engagement and practice, but they can also be expensive to develop and may require specialized equipment or software.
Overall, the choice of job aid or performance support will depend on the specific needs and complexity of the task and the level of skill and knowledge required for the employees to perform it.
Wieser Learning Solutions can help you analyze your data and evaluate multiple options to determine which performance support is the most effective and efficient for the particular task and will close the performance gap.