Clear objectives

A few words about learning objectives. There is nothing more frustrating for a trainer than discovering that the trainees are unclear as to what they are expected to get out of the training session. It is all very well saying ‘I want to get better’ – better than what? If you can’t explain how good you are now and what better means to you, this statement has little meaning. Encourage your staff to produce SMART objectives – this means that their written objective should be:

• Specific – in detail
• Measurable – something that can be seen to be different in results from current performance
• Achievable – not too challenging as to discourage even getting started, nor too easy so that no effort is needed
• Relevant – has some impact on their work
• Time bound – there is a finish or achievement date for the objective.

For a basic time management course, this might look something like:

By the end of this month I will be completing a ‘to do’ list every morning and prioritizing all the tasks on it in order of importance. I will work on the number one priority at all times until it is completed or moved as far forwards as possible by my efforts.

If, prior to the course, the trainee has not got enough information for this level of detail, the objective might be more like:

I want to have a system to ensure that I work on top priority work and don’t get sidetracked by other tasks and people asking me to do less important tasks.

Part of the post-training debrief may be to refine or rewrite the outcome required.