Most professionals are juggling numerous demands on their time and attention. Along with their core duties, they have to respond to critical notifications, constant interruptions, and other distractions. Plus, they often encounter quick-changing priorities, leaving them constantly adjusting to new paradigms.
If your training approach doesn’t fit into an employee’s day easily, participation rates will lag. By using design thinking, you can create convenient modules and engaging content with greater ease, ensuring your workforce actively takes part and retains critical knowledge.
Here’s a look at how you can make the most of design thinking, ensuring your training will meet the needs of even the busiest professional.
Why Design Thinking?
Concentrate on Long-Term Value
When you create modules, resist the urge to pepper the content with trendy buzzwords or content-delivery methods. While it may capture a learner’s attention initially, the training will quickly feel outdated.
Use the same approach when choosing your training solutions. Consider which options will provide long-term value and aren’t just attempts to cash-in on an emerging trend.
Treat Your Learners Like Customers
Often, product design focuses on the needs of the end-user. If the product isn’t useful in their eyes, they won’t buy it. It’s that simple.
By using that same mindset when you create training, you take your learners’ needs into account. It’s an approach based on empathy, where you place yourself in your employees’ shoes and consider what will speak to them.
Before you choose new learning options, speak with your workforce. Find out what does and doesn’t meet their needs. Discover insights about their preferences. Work to understand what their ideal learning experience looks like and how you can implement some of those ideas.
While you can’t cater to everyone, this process will help you understand what choices will best serve your workforce. As a result, the outcome will be more effective.
Embrace Prototypes and Testing
Your first design shouldn’t be your last. Instead, it’s wise to use an iterative approach, creating prototypes and conducting sufficient testing. This allows you to refine your methods, increasing the quality of the end result.
Plus, it creates new opportunities to involve end-users. You can get their input throughout the development phase. It also typically increases overall buy-in, enhancing long-term participation once the system is deployed.
Are You Looking for L&D Talent Who Can Help You Reach Your Training Design Goals?
At Clarity Consultants, we have more than 25 years of experience in the L&D field. By partnering with Clarity, you gain immediate access to talent-locating allies who can assist you in identifying the experienced L&D candidates who can help your company thrive. If you need to locate L&D pros who can help you reach your training design goals, the staff at Clarity Consultants can make the process efficient and straightforward. Contact us to discover more about our comprehensive services and see how our L&D expertise can benefit you.
