Blog

Overview

Effective training is not an isolated event in an organization. Training must be strategic in that it is designed to improve the knowledge, skills, and abilities of employees to help them achieve the organization’s strategic plan. Therefore, effective training cannot be designed until we first identify the organization’s business strategy (Gusdorf, M.L., 2009).

This is done by understanding the mission, vision, and goals as well as conducting a SWOT analysis to determine the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to the organization. After completing the SWOT analysis, it is time to determine the strategic training and develop a process for the organization. A strategic training and development process flowchart includes the following categories (Noe, pg71, Figure 2.1):

• Business strategy
• Strategic training and development initiatives
• Training and development activities
• Metrics that show the value of training

By gathering and analyzing this information you will be able to develop an effective training program that creates a competitive advantage for the organization. How you market your training program to leaders, managers, attendees, and other stakeholders also need to be considered as part of this process.

Instructions

To begin your training plan project you will be working on three (3) parts this week – 1) selecting and understanding the business organization, 2) completing a SWOT analysis and 3) developing a strategic training and development process flowchart. As previously mentioned, your work will be submitted using Trello, our collaborative project management software.

Continue reading for your assignment instructions.

1a. Your first assignment is to select an organization for your training plan project.

1. The organization should be large enough for you to be able to easily gather and analyze information via the internet as well as other public and academic resources.
2. Another option you might consider is selecting your current or a previous employer.
3. Submit the following information to your Trello board under the Client Information card as a description. Include each heading below along with your response: Organization name, Your client’s name – Ryan (from The Scenario on page 1) Attached at bottom, Industry, Link(s) to the organization’s online presence (website, social media, etc.). Include all resources utilized for your research as comments under Activity, cite your sources.

1b. Next, it is important to understand the business organization. To do this identify the following:

1. Mission
2. Vision
3. Values/Goals of your organization
4. Submit this information to your Trello board under the Business Strategy card. Create a new comment under Activity for each item. Include each heading above along with your response.
5. Include all resources utilized for your research as comments under Activity, cite your sources.

2.  Conduct a detailed SWOT analysis of the business. Discuss in detail the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to the organization. Make sure to include answers to the following questions in your analysis:

1. Where does the organization want to be in three to five years?
2. What does this say about the training that may be necessary for its employees?
3. As a training consultant, what training would you suggest that reflects the organization’s strategic plan?
4. Submit this information as a Word or Google doc attachment to your Trello board by creating a new Card under the Introduction, Selection, and Business Strategy List titled: SWOT Analysis.
5. Make sure to include all resources utilized for your research, cite your sources.

3.  Finally, create a strategic training and development process flowchart showing how the organization links its business strategy to training and development. See our Noe textbook page 81 Figure 2.3 for a completed flowchart example. Note, you may want to review this information in later Modules to ensure your training project aligns with the business strategy.

1. Submit this information as a Word, Google doc, PowerPoint slide, or Excel spreadsheet attachment to your Trello board by creating a new Card under the Introduction, Selection, and Strategy List titled: Strategic Training & Development Process Flowchart.
2. Make sure to include all resources utilized for your research, cite your sources.

See What is Trello? IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS on page one (1) of this document for Trello tips.

4.  In addition to these items, it is important to track your training plan development progress.

1. Use the Training Timeline Template to track your progress each week.
2. Note, you will need to make a copy of the Master template in order to use this template. Follow the instructions on the template to make a copy.
3. You will be asked to update your timeline throughout this course.
4. Submit this information as an attachment to your Trello board by creating a new Card under the Introduction, Selection, and Strategy List titled: Training Timeline