Improving Performance: How to Manage the White Space on the Organization Chart

15.3. Designing Training

The "vacuum" view of performance leads to subject-matter-driven training and development. Training programs tend to address the hot topic of the day, or perceptions of what "they" need.

Here is a typical example of a subject-matter-driven training design. An HRD department was asked to train a large group of new people, whose job was to interview applicants for unemployment compensation. The design assignment was given to Matthew, a training specialist. He began by identifying subject matter areas relevant to the new interviewer. He examined existing bodies of knowledge concerning interviewing techniques and psychology. Matthew identified interviewing technique subject matter areas, such as developing the types of questions ...