One of the most crucial components of a training program is often overlooked - a method to audit training implementation. All too frequently, organizations implement a training plan without a clear definition of the results they require from the training, or the appropriate means to achieve the results.

Without a plan, training efforts often yield no results or unintended results leadership was not expecting. By knowing what is expected of the training and the appropriate measures to gauge effectiveness, leadership has the ability to objectively analyze all results and modify their training plan as necessary.

To circumvent this difficulty, leadership must first determine their current state and their desired future state. Leadership must then define the specific skills that are necessary to achieve their desired state. Finally, leadership must determine the outcomes they expect to see as a result of training. While this may seem like a great deal to accomplish before the training actually begins, it is in fact these steps that will go the farthest in ensuring the highest possible return on training investment.

Based on the training 'pre-work' information, leadership has the tools to develop and implement an effective training plan. Some components of an effective training plan include: training outcomes, standard operating procedures, and an audit process to create an environment of continuous improvement and accountability for training implementation. When establishing an audit process, leadership must develop a schedule that determines the frequency of training process audits, a corrective action plan development for skill deficiencies, as well as recognition system for skill proficiency. By employing a process of audit, follow-up, and re-audit, the skill acquisition and implementation become a part of the culture, rather than a typical 'program of the month' initiative.

-article from "Living Your Leadership Legacy" Newsletter
by Competitive Solutions, Inc.

Competitive Solutions, Inc.(CSI) is a leadership training and consulting company that specializes in helping organizations improve communication, develop meaningful business scorecards, create accountability at all levels and set behavioral expectations using a business alignment system called Process Based Leadership.®