Analysis and consultation are murky concepts, with ample room for disagreement and avoidance. What is analysis? Why is consultation in the mix for workplace learningprofessionals? How do we do it in ways that help us gather information, please sources, and enhance decisions? What are the principles that drive effective planning AND information gathering? How can we gather data to unearth barriers and then match solutions? What questions do we ask to find out what we need to know? What roles might technology play? How do we use the information we gather to tailor the programs we offer?


This session focuses on these questions. For typical challenges, like technology roll-outs and messed-up performance appraisals, we will test-drive approaches for doing it fast and well. The workshop will involve cases, examples and practices drawn from topics as diverse as leadership development, sales training, engineering communications skills, and transporting animals at the San Diego Zoo. Objectives:


At the close of the event, participants will be able to:

• Describe what performance analysis is and how the process and results can contribute to individual and organizational mission
  
• Use a conceptual model, one that is based on the quest for information about optimals, actuals and barriers, to plan, structure and carry out needs studies for typical requests for assistance
  
• Frame questions and data gathering for needs studies 
  
• Use results to establish priorities, and to frame appropriate training and non-training solutions
  
• Provide consultation to clients, enthusiastic and reluctant; and
  
• Describe the implications of major trends in training, instructional design and emergent technologies for these customized consultation services.