Healthcheck Step 1 of 7 14% The Skills Journey Health Check is a tool to help you identify the strengths and weaknesses in your current practice and capability. There are five topics, each with five statements. In each case you should select the response which most accurately reflects the action that your team would take. The whole health check should take you no more than 15 minutes to complete. Learning architecturearchitecture11. A client wants you to provide formal training to support the roll-out of a new self-service HR system. This system is simple to use and the population in question is computer savvy. Is your team more likely to: Agree to develop the course Suggest a simpler solution, such as putting together reference materials architecture22. A client has a problem in that his team of software engineers is getting bored with doing the same type of work. He wants you to research external courses that they might use to learn about different techniques and methodologies. Is your team more likely to: Go ahead and hunt down appropriate courses Suggest ways for these employees to take on new or additional responsibilities that will provide them with increased opportunities to learn on the job architecture33. A client has approached you to find ways for greater knowledge sharing across their international workforce. Currently every country office operates completely independently and has to figure out solutions to problems on their own. The client suggests an annual conference in which country managers gather to exchange experiences. Is your team more likely to: Push ahead with organising the conference Look to develop a more far-reaching knowledge management strategy, including the use of online social learning tools architecture44. A client is looking to improve the ability of their sales force to negotiate contracts with major customers. The salespeople in question are experienced and have received lots of training over the years. Is your team more likely to: Suggest an advanced negotiation skill course Look to provide opportunities for coaching and mentoring from those employees who have proven negotiation skills architecture55. The head of marketing for a major fashion brand wants to improve the ability of his team to analyse large data sets to develop insights on customer behaviour. Is your team more likely to: Look to develop an in-house course on the subject Check out MOOCs and other learning resources available freely on the Internet Hiddenarchitecture_total Designing solutionsdesigning_solutions11. You are putting together a design for a new graduate trainee programme. Is your team more likely to : Kick off the programme with a face-to-face briefing on the company, its history, values, structure, etc. Help new trainees to prepare for the programme by providing them with access to information resources in advance of them joining designing_solutions22. You are designing a refresher programme to improve first aid skills. Is your team more likely to concentrate on: Reinforcing existing knowledge and providing information about new techniques Setting up opportunities for additional practice and clarifying any misunderstandings designing_solutions33. You are looking to improve the business writing skills of consultants working in your organisation. Is your team more likely to: Create a great course on the subject and then consider the job done Follow-up any formal training with opportunities for continuous improvement through coaching, online guides and other resources designing_solutions44. You have been running a very successful face-to-face programme to improve trouble-shooting skills for project managers. The cost of running this programme is unsustainable because of travel costs. Is your team more likely to: Develop a new online self-study programme Design an online programme that continues to provide opportunities for group interaction designing_solutions55. You want to introduce employees working in your regional marketing offices to a new approach to market planning. Is your team more likely to: Provide a formal face-to-face solution centring on a multi-day workshop Provide a fully-blended solution including various forms of digital learning content and live online sessions Hiddendesigning_solutions_total Deliverydelivery11. You want to expose your international managers to current thinking in terms of management. Is your team more likely to: Book a number of management thinkers to travel to and speak at your annual conference Organise a series of webinars with those same people delivery22. You are planning a webinar to brief retail managers on a new product line. Is your team more likely to: Deliver the webinar as a stand-alone experience Provide information for the managers to view in advance and then follow-up the webinar with links to more detailed information resources delivery33. You are designing a one-hour session to introduce employees to your new policy on drugs and alcohol at work. This session will be delivered both face-to-face and online. Is your team more likely to: Put together a slide presentation covering every aspect of the policy Present only the key points and provide plenty of opportunities to handle questions and address comments delivery44. You are designing a programme to introduce complete beginners to the use of spreadsheets to analyse survey data. You estimate that it would take at least six hours to cover all the required content. Is your team more likely to: Develop a one-day workshop to cover all the material in one hit, along with two hours for practice and testing Provide a series of short webinars at weekly intervals accompanied by a library of video tutorials delivery55. As part of a programme looking at the use of social media in recruitment, you plan to run a series of webinars. Is your team more likely to: Design the sessions for delivery by a single speaker supported by slides Design highly-interactive sessions making rich use of multimedia and multiple voices Hiddendelivery_total Digital content design and developmentdigital_content11. You are designing some interactive digital content to provide experienced managers with insights into key principles of leadership. Is your team more likely to: Develop a series of lessons followed up by quizzes Develop realistic scenarios that allow managers to gain insights into leadership through a process of guided discovery digital_content22. You are designing a series of short interactive lessons to explain complex chemical processes. It is critical that learners understand these processes. Is your team more likely to: Present the processes using videos accompanied by an online assessment Provide highly-interactive tutorials that continuously check for learning and correct any misunderstandings digital_content33. You are designing digital learning materials to support users of a new computer-aided design tool. Is your team more likely to: Design a comprehensive interactive tutorial covering all key aspects of the tool Provide short video demonstrations to cover each key aspect of the tool digital_content44. You provide a library of digital product tutorials to support your call centre staff. These tutorials need to be regularly updated. Is your team more likely to: Engage an outside contractor each time a change is needed Maintain the materials themselves digital_content55. You are under pressure to deliver a series of interactive scenarios for salespeople to support the launch of a new product line. Is your team more likely to: Work through a rigid development process with the aim of launching a perfect product regardless of how long it takes Employ a rapid, agile development process that gets a good-enough product out on a timely basis Hiddendigital_content_total Implementationimplementation11. You are preparing your objectives and budgets for the following year. Is your team more likely to: Focus on initiatives that have proved popular with learners in the past Align future plans to the goals of the organisation as a whole implementation22. You are considering a completely new way to deliver management training across your company. Is your team more likely to: Make the case on the basis of the latest thinking about how managers learn Present benefits to key stakeholders, such as senior management, in terms that are meaningful to them, e.g. the potential impact on KPIs implementation33. You are designing a new on-boarding programme. Is your team more likely to: Define the content with subject experts and then push ahead with a design Consult widely with key stakeholders including middle managers and typical learners implementation44. You have just finished developing a new, blended programme of finance skills for non-financial managers, to be delivered with a leading business school. Is your team more likely to: Consider the job done and move on to the next project Consider that the real work is only just starting and set about ensuring a successful launch and continuous improvements to the programme implementation55. You are meeting to review how successful a new apprenticeship programme has been. Is your team more likely to: Present a detailed analysis of data from learner feedback surveys Report on the extent to which the programme has delivered against the expectations of key stakeholders in the organisation Hiddenimplementation_total Learning architectureYour ratingOops. You scored nothing at all on learning architecture, which we define as the ability to foster an environment for learning in all its contexts. In this role it is important that learning and development specialists act as trusted consultants, able to look at the big picture, including experiential learning, performance support and coaching, not just formal interventions such as courses and events.I’m afraid you scored lowly on learning architecture, which we define as the ability to foster an environment for learning in all its contexts. In this role it is important that learning and development specialists act as trusted consultants, able to look at the big picture, including experiential learning, performance support and coaching, not just formal interventions such as courses and events.You did OK – but not brilliantly – on learning architecture, which we define as the ability to foster an environment for learning in all its contexts. In this role it is important that learning and development specialists act as trusted consultants, able to look at the big picture, including experiential learning, performance support and coaching, not just formal interventions such as courses and events.You did quite well on learning architecture, which we define as the ability to foster an environment for learning in all its contexts. In this role it is important that learning and development specialists act as trusted consultants, able to look at the big picture, including experiential learning, performance support and coaching, not just formal interventions such as courses and events.You scored highly on learning architecture, which we define as the ability to foster an environment for learning in all its contexts. In this role it is important that learning and development specialists act as trusted consultants, able to look at the big picture, including experiential learning, performance support and coaching, not just formal interventions such as courses and events.Well done, you scored maximum points on learning architecture, which we define as the ability to foster an environment for learning in all its contexts. In this role it is important that learning and development specialists act as trusted consultants, able to look at the big picture, including experiential learning, performance support and coaching, not just formal interventions such as courses and events.Designing solutionsYour ratingOh dear. You scored nothing at all for designing formal solutions. The skilled designer will be looking to put together end-to-end solutions, embedded in the workplace and appropriately balanced in terms of the use of self-directed, one-to-one and group learning, both online and face-to-face. The most effective solutions will include a thorough preparation phase, appropriate forms of input, plenty of opportunities for application to the job, and then follow-up over the long term.You scored poorly on designing formal solutions. The skilled designer will be looking to put together end-to-end solutions, embedded in the workplace and appropriately balanced in terms of the use of self-directed, one-to-one and group learning, both online and face-to-face. The most effective solutions will include a thorough preparation phase, appropriate forms of input, plenty of opportunities for application to the job, and then follow-up over the long term.You didn’t do so well on designing formal solutions. The skilled designer will be looking to put together end-to-end solutions, embedded in the workplace and appropriately balanced in terms of the use of self-directed, one-to-one and group learning, both online and face-to-face. The most effective solutions will include a thorough preparation phase, appropriate forms of input, plenty of opportunities for application to the job, and then follow-up over the long term.You did quite well on designing formal solutions. The skilled designer will be looking to put together end-to-end solutions, embedded in the workplace and appropriately balanced in terms of the use of self-directed, one-to-one and group learning, both online and face-to-face. The most effective solutions will include a thorough preparation phase, appropriate forms of input, plenty of opportunities for application to the job, and then follow-up over the long term.You did very well on designing formal solutions. The skilled designer will be looking to put together end-to-end solutions, embedded in the workplace and appropriately balanced in terms of the use of self-directed, one-to-one and group learning, both online and face-to-face. The most effective solutions will include a thorough preparation phase, appropriate forms of input, plenty of opportunities for application to the job, and then follow-up over the long term.You scored brilliantly on designing formal solutions. The skilled designer will be looking to put together end-to-end solutions, embedded in the workplace and appropriately balanced in terms of the use of self-directed, one-to-one and group learning, both online and face-to-face. The most effective solutions will include a thorough preparation phase, appropriate forms of input, plenty of opportunities for application to the job, and then follow-up over the long term.DeliveryYour ratingMmm. You scored nothing for delivery. Under this heading we are looking at the design of live events, rather than the skills with which they are facilitated (although these are obviously important too). In particular we are looking for an emphasis on active elements, such as discussion and practice, that make use of the group learning context, taking care to avoid the risk of overloading learners with too much information.You scored lowly on delivery. Under this heading we are looking at the design of live events, rather than the skills with which they are facilitated (although these are obviously important too). In particular we are looking for an emphasis on active elements, such as discussion and practice, that make use of the group learning context, taking care to avoid the risk of overloading learners with too much information.You didn’t do that well on delivery. Under this heading we are looking at the design of live events, rather than the skills with which they are facilitated (although these are obviously important too). In particular we are looking for an emphasis on active elements, such as discussion and practice, that make use of the group learning context, taking care to avoid the risk of overloading learners with too much information.You scored quite well on delivery. Under this heading we are looking at the design of live events, rather than the skills with which they are facilitated (although these are obviously important too). In particular we are looking for an emphasis on active elements, such as discussion and practice, that make use of the group learning context, taking care to avoid the risk of overloading learners with too much information.You did very well for for delivery. Under this heading we are looking at the design of live events, rather than the skills with which they are facilitated (although these are obviously important too). In particular we are looking for an emphasis on active elements, such as discussion and practice, that make use of the group learning context, taking care to avoid the risk of overloading learners with too much information.You scored top marks for delivery. Under this heading we are looking at the design of live events, rather than the skills with which they are facilitated (although these are obviously important too). In particular we are looking for an emphasis on active elements, such as discussion and practice, that make use of the group learning context, taking care to avoid the risk of overloading learners with too much information.Digital content design and developmentYour ratingI have to tell you you scored no points for digital content design and development. In this category we are looking for the designer’s ability to select appropriate strategies and media formats. We are also interested in the development process, to ensure this is flexible and sustainable.You scored lowly on digital content design and development. In this category we are looking for the designer’s ability to select appropriate strategies and media formats. We are also interested in the development process, to ensure this is flexible and sustainable.You didn’t do so well on digital content design and development. In this category we are looking for the designer’s ability to select appropriate strategies and media formats. We are also interested in the development process, to ensure this is flexible and sustainable.You did quite well on digital content design and development. In this category we are looking for the designer’s ability to select appropriate strategies and media formats. We are also interested in the development process, to ensure this is flexible and sustainable.You did very well on digital content design and development. In this category we are looking for the designer’s ability to select appropriate strategies and media formats. We are also interested in the development process, to ensure this is flexible and sustainable.Congratulations. You score maximum points for digital content design and development. In this category we are looking for the designer’s ability to select appropriate strategies and media formats. We are also interested in the development process, to ensure this is flexible and sustainable.ImplementationYour ratingOh dear. You scored no points for implementation. Under this heading we are looking at the ability of the team to align learning solutions with business priorities, engage with key stakeholders, market solutions properly, look to continuously update and improve solutions and then evaluate in terms of business impact.You scored lowly for implementation. Under this heading we are looking at the ability of the team to align learning solutions with business priorities, engage with key stakeholders, market solutions properly, look to continuously update and improve solutions and then evaluate in terms of business impact.You didn’t do that well for implementation. Under this heading we are looking at the ability of the team to align learning solutions with business priorities, engage with key stakeholders, market solutions properly, look to continuously update and improve solutions and then evaluate in terms of business impact.You score quite well for implementation. Under this heading we are looking at the ability of the team to align learning solutions with business priorities, engage with key stakeholders, market solutions properly, look to continuously update and improve solutions and then evaluate in terms of business impact.You scored very well for implementation. Under this heading we are looking at the ability of the team to align learning solutions with business priorities, engage with key stakeholders, market solutions properly, look to continuously update and improve solutions and then evaluate in terms of business impact.You scored maximum points for implementation. Under this heading we are looking at the ability of the team to align learning solutions with business priorities, engage with key stakeholders, market solutions properly, look to continuously update and improve solutions and then evaluate in terms of business impact.SummaryHiddenSummary TotalAs you probably guessed, you scored low overall, which means you have lots of scope to develop your learning and development capacity. At Skills Journey, we work alongside our clients as trusted partners, building their capability to design, develop and deliver effective and efficient learning solutions. We should talk.You scored on the low side overall, which means some things are going well, but there is plenty of room for improvement. At Skills Journey, we work alongside our clients as trusted partners, building their capability to design, develop and deliver effective and efficient learning solutions. Let’s talk.You scored quite well overall, which means you’re doing plenty of things well. Obviously there are some gaps which provide you with plenty of scope to make further improvements. At Skills Journey, we work alongside our clients as trusted partners, building their capability to design, develop and deliver effective and efficient learning solutions. Let’s talk.You scored highly overall, which is great to see. You are obviously doing a fine job. There are still some gaps, which provide you with room for further improvement. At Skills Journey, we work alongside our clients as trusted partners, building their capability to design, develop and deliver effective and efficient learning solutions. Let’s talk.Brilliant. You scored very highly across all the categories, which means you must be doing a great job with your team. We’d love to find out more about the great things you are doing. And of course there is always room for improvement. At Skills Journey, we work alongside our clients as trusted partners, building their capability to design, develop and deliver effective and efficient learning solutions. Let’s talk.