Performance Improvement
A performance is both a behavior and its consequences. Improving performance is larger than instructional technology and is known as "performance technology" or sometimes referred to as "performance improvement."
The world of performance technology deals with improving an individual's performance when they already know how to perform, but are not performing as they should. Instructional technology deals with improving a performance that the learner does not know or can not do. However, both draw from techniques, principles, and procedures. Performance technology deals with techniques that encourage the individual to do what they already know how to do.
Not everyone performs as they are expected to because they:
- Are not aware of what is expected of them.
- Were not rewarded or acknowledged for their work.
- Are not given the proper equipment, tools, supplies, support, etc.
- Are penalized for performing as desired.
- Are not given the control to perform as desired.
- Are not motivated or have a poor attitude.
If this is the case, more training will not improve performance. You need to:
- Provide job aides.
- Let the expectations be known.
- Reward, acknowledge, and give feedback on their present work.
- Give them the proper equipment, tools, supplies, and support needed.
- Do not penalize for desired performance: this could involve rearranging the structure to allow for the desired performance instead of penalizing it.
- Improve the processes/procedures used.
- Inform workers of the policies, procedures, and manuals.
- Simplify the desired performance.
- Implement incentives or motivational techniques.
Training should not be viewed as the first and only solution to a performance problem, rather as a last resort. When training is the solution we turn to Instructional Design/Technology.
