First Steps in Setting Up a Successful Training Initiative

Even if they follow instructional design consulting best practices “to a tee,” many training initiatives are doomed to fail even before they are implemented. Follow these steps to avoid a failed training initiative.

1. Be sure you have executive backing. Since effective training requires a change in behavior, you will need more than senior management sponsorship…you will need executives to model the change and make clear that they expect the new behavior to be followed at all levels.
2. Consider the context. The training program must be tailored to your specific situation by taking into account your existing culture, structure, rewards, systems and processes.
3. Involve front-line managers. There is no one who can sabotage training faster than front-line managers who dismiss its value in front of their team. Gain the support of managers early. Have them review the content, buy into the importance of the training and learn how to coach their team for subsequent application on the job.

If you are serious about the ROI of your training, you will set it up to succeed with heavy customization, action-learning and the backing of both executives and front-line managers.