Training and Development Case Study

V2

Introduction

Southwood school administrators realized that a newly designed performance management system for their support staff would require a formal training program. Designing and implementing the new performance management system was a challenge for the organization; the last system was unpopular with employees, and negative feelings about the value of performance management linger.

Case Overview

Some of the issues identified with the previous performance management system included:

Annual deadlines to complete the process were missed by many staff members.

Some staff members were confused about what exactly needed to be completed and when.

There were complaints that the previous system was a waste of time and that there were no measurable outputs.

A trade union representative felt the system was not appropriate for all staff members.

Criteria on the forms were irrelevant to support staff. For example, support staff could not set objectives in pupil progress or have lessons observed.

There was little attention on identifying training needs, and where needs had been identified, there was no follow-up with appropriate actions.

Appraisals were led by teachers with little knowledge of their appraisees jobs.

Performance meetings were a one-way process; often, performance goals were identified before the meeting and without the appraisees input.

A new performance management system was designed in consultation with all stakeholders to address the issues raised with the previous system. School leaders felt that a formal training program was vital to ensure all employees understood and supported the new system.

The trainees in this case study are the appraisers in the new performance management process. In some cases, they will be teachers with no formal management qualifications. In other cases, they will be support staff with specific management responsibilities in the organization.

The program content would include the following:

How to develop questioning and listening skills.

How to complete the new performance management documents.

How to develop SMART objectives (objectives that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound).

How to help employees identify training and development opportunities

The training would take place in-house and outside the normal workday. It was agreed that the most appropriate method was a two-hour workshop. The workshop would include various activities geared to develop the skills and knowledge of the participants.

It was estimated that the benefit of the training program to the organization would include a $15,000 improvement in employee productivity and a $30, 000 savings in turnover after one year. Training costs would include materials for the trainees of $3,000, refreshments ($1,000), as. The company trainers salary is $60,000 per year and each of the 12 trainees in the workshop earn $48,000 per year. Employees typically work 2000 hours per year. Administrative support services are estimated at $2,500. The trainer estimates that the design, delivery and evaluation of the training program will take 300 hours.

The trainer ran out of time during the training session. Consequently, no formal evaluations were submitted by participants. The trainer thought it had been a challenging session; it had been

difficult to engage the participants. The participants had very different needs and few trainees participated in the activities or asked any questions.

Instructions:

Answer the following questions making sure to make your recommendations specific to the case. Do not provide generic answers based purely on theory. There is no specific page length but your submission must be typed, double-spaced using 12 font size. This is an individual submission.

Question 1

Critique the following learning objective developed by the trainer for the training program and write an effective one.

By the end of the session the trainee will understand question and listen more effectively.

(10 marks)

Question 2

Discuss the needs analysis process that will need to be carried out. Make your answer specific to this case rather than simply providing generic theoretical concepts from the textbook. (15 marks)

Question 3

Discuss reasons for lack of success of the training program referencing at least 2 learning theories. Provide suggestions for improving the training program based on the theories you identify. (15 marks)

Question 4

Calculate the ROI of the training program to the company. Show all your work. (10 marks)

Question 5

Using Kirkpatricks model of training evaluation, provide one concrete example of each level of evaluation that could be included in a summative evaluation of the performance management training program. (10 marks)