Author: Andy Lancaster
Translated by: Abdulrahman bin Mohammed Al-Sheail
Reviewed by: Prof. Dr. Mohammed bin Saeed Al-Omari
Summary of the Book "Driving Performance Through Learning: Employee Development through Effective Workplace Learning"
"Driving Performance Through Learning" is a deep dive into the processes of "Learning and Development" (L&D), a term the author prefers over "training." The book explores the challenges faced by L&D professionals and practitioners in organizations. Its significance is highlighted by several unique features:
Author's Practical Experience:
Andy Lancaster's experience at the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) has allowed him to observe L&D practices globally, understanding the expectations and needs of business owners and companies regarding L&D expenditures. Organizations today face intense competition and volatility, necessitating improved performance, productivity, and innovation. Enhancing performance and productivity has become an expected deliverable, especially for those in L&D.
Transformative Approaches:
The book advocates moving away from traditional organizational design models, offering practical and illustrative examples. Lancaster presents a new vision for L&D that positively impacts and supports performance through a new organizational learning philosophy.
Transformational Learning Methods:
The book introduces key transformative approaches to support workplace learning, including digital solutions, community facilitation, content organization, self-directed learning support, embedding training, valuing mistakes, and offering inspiring insights from organizations and practitioners.
Redefining L&D Teams:
Lancaster discusses the nature of L&D teams necessary for delivering workplace learning, redefining roles and responsibilities, and fostering a new mindset to support workplace learning, making this book a primary reference in L&D and organizational learning.
Classical Training Principles:
The book addresses classic training principles like the ADDIE model, instructional design methodologies, and employing digital technologies to enhance learning methods and organization as part of knowledge management in organizations.
One of the most impactful aspects discussed in "Driving Performance Through Learning" is the objective treatment of self-directed learning and motivation and their roles in improving employee performance at the organizational level.
Overall, the book's value lies in tackling essential topics. It redefines the learning organization, establishes a new learning philosophy based on the latest developments, and provides foundational principles for diagnosing training and development needs, leveraging best global practices to deliver directed learning solutions that enhance L&D activities' effectiveness.
Unlike many academic books that neglect measuring training impact, Lancaster emphasizes this aspect, tracking results using the Learning Transfer Evaluation Model and other assessment models, highlighting the pivotal role of data analysis in tracking L&D programs' impact.
Andy Lancaster successfully argues that L&D are fundamental components and crucial elements for this book's development. In a rapidly changing environment, there is a need to move away from traditional organizational design models. Lancaster provides practical and applicable examples showing how L&D can make learning an integral and strategic part of work, supporting and motivating daily and future performance.
Few L&D professionals have reached Andy's level. He brings a wealth of experience, ideas, and research to this book, offering practical insights and examples for various circumstances. The book's clear structure, insightful questions, and referenced experiences encourage deep reflection on existing L&D practices.
How DocSuite HR System Relates to the Book
DocSuite HR is a human resource management system that provides tools and solutions for managing employees and competencies. Andy Lancaster's book discusses strategies and techniques for enhancing employee performance through learning and development.
The connection between the two lies in DocSuite HR's potential to implement the performance improvement strategies discussed in Lancaster's book. By providing an effective HR management system, DocSuite HR can support and execute the learning and development plans outlined in "Driving Performance Through Learning," thereby enhancing performance and efficiency within an organization.
You can download the book directly from here.