1.7 Organization of This Course

In the next topic of this book, we will discuss the context for training, including the relevant legislation, changes in economic and social factors driving training, and the importance of tying training to the strategic direction of the organization.

The next five topics explore the core of the training process using the ADDIE model as a basic guide. Chapter 3 addresses needs analysis and the importance of determining if the problem being faced is one that is appropriate for a training solution. Topic 4 addresses the important topic of learning theory and suggests how this theory informs appropriate training program design and development. This chapter also includes a discussion of learning and training objectives. Topic 5 discusses the implementation of training programs and some of the nitty-gritty that must be considered such as choice of training method, location and venue, and seating arrangements. It also addresses the capabilities needed by effective trainers. Topic 6 discusses the important topic of training transfer—if training doesn’t transfer back to the work setting, all the time and money has been wasted. This topic will pull key points from the previous chapters on needs analysis and program design to illustrate how the ultimate transfer of training must be kept in mind during these earlier stages of the process. Topic 7 completes the ADDIE model with a discussion of training evaluation. Again, earlier stages of the process—such as selection of who is to be trained and how—will be revisited with an eye toward making evaluation a more common and useful step.

After the completion of the discussion of the stages in the ADDIE model, the book then moves to five chapters on topics that are directly related to training and development, but not part of the ADDIE model. These include orientation and career management (Topic 8), performance management (Topic 9), employee rights (Topic 10), leadership development (Topic 11), and organization development (Topic 12). Finally, the book concludes with a short chapter on the future of training and development (Topic 13).