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Why You Need More Performance Support Tools

Performance support tools and formal training have been used together for years to deliver impactful blended learning and hybrid learning solutions. But as technology changes and the learner’s limited time and attention continually decrease, performance support tools are playing a greater role in employee training and development. Why? First, let’s talk about the differences.

Performance Support Tools and Formal Training

Formal Training – This has long been the default method to equip learners with the specific skills they need for job performance. As the name implies, formal training takes place in a highly structured environment where students have postponed their work duties to gain new expertise before returning to their roles.

Performance Support Tools – These are used on-the-job and come in handy when learners need concise training content around specific tasks. Learners don’t step away from work while using the tools. Instead, they simply find the resources they need to get help on a particular subject before going back to business.

Instructional design programs that offer both formal training and tools for performance support give learners the best of both worlds. A blend of methods allows the learning audience to first see the big picture in formal training, and then quickly get the information and support they need to overcome in the day-to-day challenges of applying the new training.

Instructional design programs that offer both formal training and tools for performance support give learners the best of both worlds.

Two Training Types Working Together

Here’s an example. After formal training in a new software application at Organization X, learners return to their jobs and try to use the software as they perform their duties. This is a key transition point where employees encounter novel situations not covered in training, and they find that what appeared so clear and simple in the courses seems like a mystery as they try to use it.

At this point in the process, data shows that if the training is not reinforced employees will forget 80% of what they learn within 30 days.  Performance support tools enhance the formal training process by augmenting learners’ imperfect memories of lessons taught in formal training.

How? Performance support tools are designed to give a quick knowledge payoff and get learners up to speed immediately on simple, discrete tasks. No need to stop working, no need for a formal instructor. Learners get the information they need to figure out how to accomplish a specific work task in a few minutes, and then they’re back on the job.

Performance support tools are designed to give a quick knowledge payoff and get learners up to speed immediately on simple, discrete tasks.

Learning Trends that are Changing the Game

Microlearning – This approach to learning holds that shorter is better, and it breaks down training into small units or short-term activities. Microlearning gives learners small batches of material to study at their convenience. Here’s how to put microlearning to work for you.

  • Condense Content – Training that can be reduced into bite-sized learning without losing its impact is ideal for microlearning.
  • Make It Interactive – Training that is based on real-world scenarios that employees face every day will force learners to think and internalize new knowledge. This is so much more than just pointing and clicking. 
  • Use a Variety of Media – Microlearning can be presented in a wide array of formats utilizing everything from video to infographics. Choose the media that is best suited to the learner and the task.  

Mobile Learning – In 2021 there will be more than 7 billion mobile users globally. Mobile devices are ideal for conveying the abbreviated content delivered by performance support tools.  Here’s how to optimize your training for mobile learning.

  • Mobile First – Design your platform for a mobile device. Make the content work on a small screen that users will navigate with their thumbs.
  • Make it Responsive – Make sure your training content adapts to different screens of different sizes including monitors, tablets, and cell phones.
  • Create a Community – Mobile technology is ideal for connecting people who can share knowledge to solve common problems. Give learners forums where they can share experiences.

Here’s What Performance Support Tools Look Like

How-To-Videos – These brief video tutorials have the invaluable advantage of showing rather than telling. Making them worth thousands of words.

Infographics – Graphics that use appealing and memorable visual images to display tons of information and data at a glance.

Process Maps – Simplify complex processes by creating a map that illustrates the work flow by breaking it down step by step. 

FAQs – Find quick answers to common questions.

Quick Response Guides –Distilling documentation into one or two pages with plenty of visuals gets learners up to speed quickly.

Checklists – Multi-step tasks can be confusing and any one step can be easily overlooked. Consulting a list of all the steps in a process ensures that nothing is forgotten.

Conclusion

Performance support tools and formal training will both continue to play critical roles in eLearning. But as technology and education trends bring performance support tools closer to the forefront of the industry, using them skillfully will become increasingly important.  

representative talent profile

instructional writer

Position(s): Lead or supporting writer
Years of Instructional Experience: 2+
Number of Completed Projects: 15+

Key Skills: Instructional Writing, Technical Writing, Instructional Design, Content Curation, eLearning Development, Curriculum Development, Course Authoring, Storytelling, Learning Assessment, Editing, Proofreading, AI Prompt Engineering

Media Skills: Use of stock media libraries

Strengths: Problem-Solving, Clear and Concise Writing, Tone and Style, Formatting, Consistency, Creativity, Communication, Active Listening, Research, Brainstorming, Collaboration, Attention to Detail, Adaptability

Career Highlights:

  • Scripted over 100 hours of learning content and supporting materials for different modalities for both US and global audiences  
  • Adapted writing style and reading grade level to suit design specifications and learner needs in several different industries (finance, healthcare, manufacturing, etc.) 
  • Used generative AI to supplement source content and to accelerate the writing process (without plagiarism) 

Technical Skills:

representative talent profile

learning experience designer

Position(s): Learning Experience (LX) Designer or Strategist
Years of Instructional Experience: 7+
Number of Completed Projects: 30+

Key Skills: Learner Experience Design (LXD),  Instructional Design, Learning Assessment,  Hybrid Learning, Learning in the Flow of Work, Project-Based Learning Methodologies, Cohort and Social Learning, Learner Experience Platforms

Media Skills: LX journey maps and representations of other interconnected or integrated learning strategies 

Strengths: Systems Thinking, Stakeholder Communication, Instructional Design Strategy, Learning Theory, Training Effectiveness

Career Highlights:

  • Designed personalized learner experience (LX) journeys for an organization of 30k (with 5 tiered tracks) 
  • Curated existing LXs that could be leveraged in new learning journeys for other roles, with measurement at key milestones to evaluate progress and success 
  • Wrote up the specifications for branching scenarios, question libraries, options for audio/visual media, and more, connecting each learner experience to a personalized journey 

Technical Skills:

representative talent profile

instructional media specialist

Position(s): Lead or supporting graphic designer, lead motion video artist
Years of Instructional Experience: 6+
Number of Completed Projects: 40+

Key Skills: Visual Design, Illustration, UX/UI Design, Storyboarding, Animation, Audio Engineering

Media Skills: Engaging illustrations, 3D models, character design, storyboarding, live-action and motion graphic video creation, audio recording and editing, client branding, and more to enhance media and create engaging touchpoints that resonate with learners 

Strengths: Brainstorming, Collaboration, Visual Communication,  Color Theory, Typography, Layout and Composition

Career Highlights:

  • Completed projects with extreme attention to fonts, colors, spacing, and more that ensured integrity with client branding requirements 
  • Designed and integrated media based on project-specific content that reflected the learner audience, established realistic learning environments, allowed for hands-on practice in virtual environments, and promoted diversity and engaging storytelling
  • Created quick-reference illustrations learners could access on the job to help them make fast, effective decisions   

Technical Skills:

representative talent profile

lms admin

Position(s): Admin or sub-admin for Learning Management System (LMS)
Years of Instructional Experience: 5+
Number of Completed Projects: 15+

Key Skills: LMS Configuration, User Management, Course Management, System Maintenance, Reporting, Data Analysis, System Integrations

Media Skills: Network and tech-stack diagrams to communicate system architecture and integration 

Strengths: Troubleshooting and Analysis, Learning Analytics, User Administration, Technical Proficiency, Documentation, Adaptability

Career Highlights:

  • Managed a curriculum of more than 1,450 course offerings in the LMS for more than 10,000 learners 
  • Uploaded, tested, and ensured the readiness of new and relaunched programs 
  • Created and maintained reporting workflows to meet stakeholder needs 
  • Provided on-demand support to the learning team to answer questions and promptly address concerns 

Technical Skills:

representative talent profile

learning project manager

Position(s): Learning project manager, project lead, or coordinator
Years of Instructional Experience: 5+
Number of Completed Projects: 35+

Key Skills: eLearning Development, Resource Coordination, Project Management (PMP Certified), Agile and Waterfall PM Methodologies, Budgeting and Forecasting, Scheduling, Quality Assurance

Media Skills: Visual reporting of project plans via Gantt charts and other standard formats

Strengths: Problem-Solving, Communication, Active Listening, Collaboration, Decision-Making, Attention to Detail, Adaptability, Time Management, Risk Management, Budget Management, Team Coordination and Delegation

Career Highlights:

  • Managed concurrent award-winning projects without missing deadlines or wasting resources 
  • Completed several projects earlier than the expected timeline and under the anticipated budget 
  • Built strong relationships with returning client partners for multi-phase initiatives or course maintenance projects 

Technical Skills:

representative talent profile

SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT (SME)

Position(s): Industry-specific specialist
Years of Instructional Experience: 5+
Number of Completed Projects: 5+

Key Skills: Content Curation, Specialized Content Development, Industry-Specific Expertise, Domain Expertise (e.g., Leadership, Onboarding, Compliance), Content Review

Media Skills: Recommendation and review of technical diagrams or industry-specific images

Strengths: Specialized Content Knowledge, Content-Gathering, Simplifying and Organizing Complex Material, Brainstorming, Collaboration, Documentation of Source Content, Decision-Making, Technical Content Review

Career Highlights:

  • Helped create, gather, and organize over 50 hours of content for projects with specific industry or learning needs and contextual nuances
  • Facilitated the decision-making process and collaboration between internal and external teams to consolidate feedback into actionable next steps 

Technical Skills:

representative talent profile

LEARNING STRATEGIST

Position(s): Lead strategist or performance consultant
Years of Instructional Experience: 7+
Number of Completed Projects: 20+

Key Skills: Needs Analysis, Learning Theory, Learner Experience Design, Learning Analytics and Measurement, Performance Mapping, Behavioral and Performance Analysis, Content Curation, Curriculum Analysis, Change Management

Media Skills: Curriculum maps, learner experience journeys, and conceptual program wireframes

Strengths: Big-Picture Thinking, Critical Thinking and Analysis, Problem-Solving, Creativity, Stakeholder Communication, Research, Design, Collaboration, Facilitation

Career Highlights:

  • Conducted a comprehensive learning needs analysis for customer services representatives that included both product knowledge and interpersonal skills development 
  • Prioritized alignment of business and learner needs, such as high-impact accessible design solutions within budgets or agile timelines, for award-winning projects
  • Designed strategies for measuring performance and results over time to inform continued client success 

Technical Skills:

representative talent profile

Instructional Designers

Position(s): Lead or supporting designer
Years of Instructional Experience: 3+
Number of Completed Projects: 15+

Key Skills: Instructional Design, Adult Learning Theories, eLearning Development, Learner Experience Design, Curriculum Development, Course Authoring, Writing, Learning Assessment

Media Skills: Simple graphic design using stock imagery, audio production

Strengths: Adaptability, Problem-Solving, Creativity, Communication, Collaboration, Technical Proficiency, Attention to Detail

Career Highlights:

  • Led the design and development of an onboarding program for new manufacturing employees
  • Scripted technical instructional content for high-tech, product knowledge training
  • Developed hybrid materials for both instructor-led training (ILT) and microlearning tutorials

Technical Skills: