It’s hard to imagine a project more critical – or more fraught with potential pitfalls – than training design. Most organizations know they need training. They might even have a pretty good idea what the content of the training should be. But the danger comes in with what comes next. Take a look at these tips to avoid common mistakes in training design.

• Don’t put the cart before the horse
  Training design is based on the specific goals outlined in the training strategy phase. Click here for the best practices of training strategy discussed in our last blog. Training goals can be anything from closing skill gaps to improving engagement or culture, to building your bench for future leadership positions, or reducing turnover. Whatever it is, make sure your training goals are aligned with your business goals, and that they are specific and measurable.

• Know your learners
  Training design needs to take into account the age, position, degree of tech comfort and preferences of its learners and their individual learning style. This means you must consider a variety of learning deliverables to determine which will be most effective. Consider classroom workshops, eLearning, video support, round tables, simulations, case studies, book clubs, webinars, etc.
• How flexible can you be?
  Your training design must be approached from all angles, and the content must be prepared in easily digestible, memorable and impactful nuggets. Enlist an experienced Instructional designer who understands the training strategy and can ask the right questions in order to build the right design that improves skills and tests knowledge.
• Holding out for a hero
  You know who they are. The powerful, but not necessarily most senior, leaders in your organization. The highly respected voices of reason who share your organizational vision. These are your internal advocates. They are the champions who will help you design and deliver your training program. Get them on your side early in the process and keep them in the loop throughout rollout.

And speaking of rollout, that’s your next big hurdle. Training Delivery is the next critical step. Stay tuned because Powers Resource Center has got you covered with a blog post dedicated to best practices in training delivery in the coming weeks.