Overview: Staff Training & Development

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Staff training and development arises from a gap between actual and desired performance levels and the desire to affect a change. 1

train:(v) to teach or condition an individual to perform certain

responses, behaviors, tasks, or activities 2

development:(n) the progressive series of changes in structure,

function, and behavior patterns that occur over the life span of a

human being 2

These gaps may include differences between:

Expected outcomes versus actual outcomes

Expected performance versus actual performance

Desired knowledge, skills, and abilities versus actual competencies. (These include: cognitive, affective and behavioral, and psychomotor competencies.)

Training and development centers around:

deficiencies in performance,

introduction of new knowledge, skills, and abilities, or

perceived opportunities. The candidates for training include current personnel and new hires. Remedies for deficiencies can affect either the individual or the organizational environment in which individuals work. 3 It is estimated that one-half (50%) of the deficiencies in business are related to deficiencies in execution and not knowledge. 4 Causes in faulty execution are: inadequate feedback, task interference, punishment, and lack of motivation. To measure performance, we may use hard data or soft data as metrics. Hard data is easy to quantify and are objectively based. Hard data includes: output, quality, cost, or time. Soft data is more difficult to quantify and is subjectively based. Soft data includes: work habits, new skills, climate, satisfaction, development, and initiative. 5 Sources: American Psychological Association. (2007). APA Dictionary of Psychology. Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association.

2

Moore, Michael L. and Philip Dutton. (1978). “Training Needs Analysis: Review and Critique,” Academy of Management Review 3(3), pp. 532-542.

1, 3, 4

Phillips, Patricia Pulliam and Jack J. Phillips. (2005). Return on Investment (ROI) Basics. Alexandria, Virginia: ASTD Press.

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