Developing Human Capital: Using Analytics to Plan and Optimize Your Learning and Development Investments

CaseStudyA Measurement Strategy in Action: Pfizer

BACKGROUND

Pfizer is the world’s largest research-based pharmaceutical company. Its global portfolio includes medicines and vaccines, as well as many of the world’s best-known consumer health care products. Every day, Pfizer’s employees work across developed and emerging markets to advance wellness, prevention, treatments, and cures that challenge the most feared diseases of our time.

Pfizer recognizes the crucial role its employees play in keeping the company at the forefront of the industry and in compliance with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) safety standards. Each division of the company has its own small learning organization to support the diverse body of technical skills required of Pfizer employees. At Pfizer’s main campus in Groton, Connecticut, the divisional learning organizations collaborated to form the Groton Community of Practice (CoP). Valerie Gamble, Education and Performance-Enhancement Lead for Pfizer’s Drug Safety Research and Development Group (DSRD), is coleader of the CoP.

Gamble’s team is charged with preparing and enabling laboratory technicians, researchers, and scientists to safely and efficiently conduct research and analysis that lead to good decisions during drug development. The variety of training programs reflects Pfizer’s diverse portfolio; training ranges from teaching laboratory technicians how to dose animals to equipping drug safety team leaders with project management skills. One of ...