You might wonder what training and performance has to do with the current economic crisis. While it is easy to point fingers and assign blame, and certainly there is enough to go around, being accountable for your actions, or lack thereof, requires courage. There are questions that workplace learning and performance (WLP) professionals must ask and answer concerning their human performance technology (HPT) and/or human resource development (HRD) practices. These questions are:
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Is root cause analysis a routine part of your HPT practice?
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Have you integrated lean service concepts into your HPT practice?
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Are you experimenting with new tools to support learning and performance improvement?
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What theory into practice action have you taken to enhance your professional development?
The auto companies may serve as a model for HPT/HRD practice. The auto companies continue to make improvements in their current practices with limited ventures into new categories (small, fuel-efficient vehicles). Processes were fixed and/or enhanced that should have been eliminated (root cause analysis). Only in crisis mode did the auto companies streamline operations (lean six sigma concepts). Training and performance improvement does not set strategy for organizations. However, T&PI should have some influence. What path are WLP professionals following?
Are we going the way of the auto companies or evolving? Your thoughts? Click on comments and share your views.