Training Development for Sustainable Improvement: Part 3

In our previous blog, I started teaching how you can use the Training Development tab effectively in the Process Worksheet (downloadable for free here) to develop a successful training plan. 

We are wrapping up this blog series by discussing how to effectively use the remaining columns (E, F, G, H, and I) of the sheet. 

Estimate the Time Needed

Once you have columns C and D fleshed out, you can move on to columns E and F. For example, if you have 11 trainings with different attendees for each one, the next step is to estimate the time needed for each training.

Avoid the common pitfall of assigning a blanket 60-minute timeframe to all sessions. Instead, tailor the time to the content and audience. Some topics may require more in-depth discussions, while others could be adequately covered in a shorter period of time. Customizing the time allocation ensures that training is effective and engaging.

Identify Facilitators: Column F

Determine who will facilitate each training session. This person should be well-versed in the content and able to effectively communicate it to the attendees. Clarity is key: only one facilitator should be assigned per session to ensure accountability and prevent confusion. If assistance is needed, make sure to indicate it in parentheses, specifying that it’s “with the support of” another individual.

Material Creation Ownership: Column H

Differentiate between facilitators and creators of training materials. Clearly identify who is responsible for creating the training materials for each session. Similar to facilitation, designate only one person as the creator of materials, and if assistance is needed, indicate it in parentheses. Collaboration is acceptable, but having a single owner ensures consistency and minimizes potential confusion.

Flesh Out the Entire Plan Before Scheduling Any Training Sessions in Column E

Before scheduling any training, ensure that you’ve fully fleshed out the entire training plan. This means completing every row with details, including names of attendees, estimated time, facilitators, and material creators. Attempting to schedule sessions prematurely can lead to inefficiencies and gaps in planning.

Schedule Intelligently

Once the plan is complete, schedule your training sessions. Plan within a two-week window to maintain momentum and engagement. Scheduling intelligently involves considering the interrelatedness of topics and the shared audience across sessions. Avoid disjointed schedules that might overwhelm participants or cause confusion.

Provide Specific Details

When scheduling, provide specific details for each session, including the day of the week, date, and timeframe. This level of clarity eliminates confusion and ensures that participants can easily integrate the training into their schedules. The goal is that I should be able to read this and have no questions.

Columns G and I

The training plan within the worksheet manages the execution of your trainings to achieve a go-live date. That’s where we get to Columns G and I. Once we have the plan and the dates, we can go forth and get the training scheduled, so you can check the box in the column. Our aim is to visualize the progress so that we don’t have questions about the progress of the activity. Once trainings are scheduled, we start to create the materials. As the materials are completed, check the box in preparation for your training. 

Plan to Succeed

As I often say, it’s not the tool that matters; it’s how you use it. You can look at this sheet and think, “It’s so simple; why does it need further explanation?” But how you use the worksheet will make all the difference in whether your plan succeeds or not. 

We’re putting standardization around process improvement to make our results more effective. People will only take your processes as seriously as you do. When you show formalization, structure, and seriousness, you give people time to understand the process. Moreover, you will get exactly what you want—your people will treat the process with the same level of seriousness and importance and sustain it.

In your service,

Hilary Corna 

Hilary Corna

Bestselling Author, Keynote Speaker, Podcast Host, Founder of the Human Way ™...

Hilary’s favorite title is HUMAN.

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