Cost vs. Risk Rule
When you look at the Cost vs. Risk Rule, the answer becomes clear. The Cost vs. Risk Rule helps you determine what is most important when you weigh the cost of taking a step versus the risk of not taking a step. This approach helps training professionals prioritize their efforts more effectively and focus on the most crucial aspects that will drive business results.
Adopt Proactive Consulting
From there, a crucial aspect of instructional design is understanding the difference between proactive and reactive consulting. Most of us are reactive – we respond to requests and act when called upon because it is what we are used to doing. But how many of us are proactive and go after what we want/need from our clients? Being proactive – actively seeking out what is needed from individuals and driving the consulting process – can lead to more effective and impactful training solutions.
Focus on Organizational Performance
Another common pitfall is focusing on the performance of people and not the performance of an organization as a whole. This behavior is flawed because it overlooks the context where individual performance takes place. Adopting a more holistic view of organizational performance allows training professionals to develop solutions that address systematic issues and lead to overall business growth and success.
Oftentimes, developing training to solve a problem is not what is needed. You need to really look at the whole picture to determine what is needed. Sometimes, the root cause of a performance issue may lie outside the scope of training and may require different interventions, such as changes in processes, systems, or organizational structure.
To implement a more effective approach, training professionals should consider adopting a performance consulting mindset. This involves engaging with clients to diagnose performance gaps accurately, identifying the true causes of these gaps, and recommending appropriate solutions. Measurement should be integrated into this process to track the effectiveness of interventions and ensure they are delivering the desired results.
Putting It Together
In summary, moving beyond an order-taking role to a more comprehensive, results-based approach in instructional design requires integrating performance consulting and measurement into the training development process. By prioritizing tasks based on the Cost Vs. Risk Rule, adopting a proactive consulting approach, and focusing on organizational performance, training professionals can develop more effective solutions that drive real business results. This streamlined process not only improves the impact of training but also ensures that training professionals can manage their busy schedules more effectively, focusing on what truly matters.
Do you want to learn more about instructional design and business goals? Are you interested in learning more about the “true” client, the Needs/Gap Analysis Phase, Task Analysis, and more on the Handshaw Instructional Design Model? If so, check out the webinar Training That Delivers Results: Instructional Design That Aligns with Business Goals.
