Designing for performance support involves creating resources and systems that enable employees to quickly access the information and support they need to perform their jobs effectively.
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This can include online tools, job aids, training materials, and other resources that help employees to learn new skills, troubleshoot problems, and stay up-to-date on changes and updates in their work environment. There are several strategies that organizations can use to design effective performance support systems:
Identify the Performance Needs
The first step in designing a performance support system is to identify the performance needs of employees. Here are some strategies that organizations can use to identify the performance needs of employees:
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- Analyze job tasks and responsibilities: Review job descriptions, observe employees at work, or conduct interviews with employees and supervisors.
- Assess current performance levels: Collect data on productivity, quality of work and other key performance indicator, and/or get feedback from supervisors or customers.
- Identify skills and knowledge gaps: Conduct a needs assessment, administer a skills assessment, or gather feedback from employees on their own learning needs.
- Solicit feedback from employees: Conduct surveys or focus groups, or hold one-on-one interviews with employees.
- Review industry trends and changes: Subscribe to industry publications, attend conferences and seminars, or conduct market research.
Determine the Effective Delivery Methods
Once you have identified the performance needs of your employees, you can then determine the most effective delivery methods for these resources. Some common delivery methods include:
- Online tools such as training modules, webinars, or e-learning courses that can be accessed from any device, making them convenient and flexible for learners.
- Job aids that provide step-by-step instructions or guidance for completing specific job tasks such as cheat sheets, checklists, or other types of written or visual materials.
- Training materials such as slides, handouts, or videos can be used to teach employees new skills or provide them with information they need to perform their job tasks more effectively.
- Other resources could include one-on-one coaching, mentoring, or even social media groups or forums where employees can ask questions and get support from their colleagues.
Make Resources Accessible
To be effective, performance support resources must be easily accessible to employees when they need them. This might involve creating a central repository of resources that employees can access online, or providing job aids and other resources directly at the point of need.
Ensure Resources are Current
It is important to regularly review and update performance support resources to ensure that they remain effective in helping employees perform their job tasks. This is especially important in fast-changing industries or in organizations where processes or technologies are constantly evolving.
There are several steps that you can take to regularly review and update performance support resources:
- Training materials should be reviewed on a regular basis to ensure that they are current and accurate.
- If your organization uses online tools to provide performance support, it is important to regularly add new modules or content, revise existing materials, or update the design or layout of the tool.
- As the needs of your organization and employees change, it may be necessary to create new job aids, training materials, or online tools to help employees stay up-to-date with new processes or technologies.
Provide Ongoing Support and Feedback
In addition to providing initial training and resources, it is important to provide ongoing support and feedback to employees as they use the performance support system. This might involve offering coaching, providing feedback on performance, or offering additional training and resources as needed.
Conclusion
Overall, designing for performance support involves creating systems and resources that enable employees to quickly access the information and support they need to perform their jobs effectively. By identifying the performance needs of employees, determining the most effective delivery methods, making resources easily accessible, and providing ongoing support and feedback, organizations can design effective performance support systems that drive workplace performance.
