How do you create an organizational learning strategy?
I was asked this recently so here’s my quick take having done this.
First. It’s not about learning, it’s about *performance*. Get that straight away with all parties.
You also don’t start with a strategy, you begin w/ a principled framework that 1. respects the work context/ flow and 2. accepts that people learn only when motivated to do so. (Transparency and openness are critical here.)
Next, learning IS happening all the time. Formally, yes but more so experientially and socially. So before creating content, create or clear pathways for information to move and people to connect faster and easier. Starting here saves time, money and has powerful ripple effects in other areas like employee engagement, collaboration and problem-solving.
And yes, of course, when formal learning is needed (going back to framework pt. 1), look to performance support first. If training, it should be small and very targeted so as to limit the drag on work because work/working is the very reason employees are there and you are too.
