I recently picked up an excellent book on transfer of training. Beyond transfer of training by Mary L. Broad.
In legal training the issue of transfer remains a huge challenge. Basically, transfer involves the application in the workplace of what has been learned in the learning place. Sounds simple? Forget it! Not only is it difficult to achieve in reality. Not only is it a critical requirement for succcess. It is also the most neglected feature of legal training and education. Basically, it is about how to get results out of training
Ms Broad starts out by discussing the three focus points for obtaining good transfer:
- Analyse the organisational structure and organisational relations between people
- Identify the transfer’s stakeholders
- Appoint a good performance consultant responsible for achieving transfer
Mary L. Broad’s book provides extensive and practical information on how to achieve sufficient transfer.
In a nutshell she provides the following steps for the performance consultant:
On a permanent basis:
- Establish enduring partnering relationship with manager(s)
- Learn from and educate manager about learning processes and about the organisation
When a performance improvement need arises:
- Establish consulting relationship with manager
- Identify key stakeholder representatives
- Confer with manager and key stakeholder representatives
- Design intervention and include stakeholders in decisions
- Implement and evaluate intervention
Contrary to this list, the book provides sufficient information to make a start and implement succesful transfer in one’s organization. I will discuss relevant bullet points in future blogs. If you cannot wait, simply read this excellent book.