Discovery

What is Discovery?

Discovery is the phase where learning teams gather information to understand the problem, the audience, and the context for the work. It reveals what people actually need to learn and why. Discovery is particularly valuable when the learning team is unsure what the right solution should be, because it identifies priorities and clarifies the approach most likely to succeed. Poor discovery leads to assumptions, unclear scope, and learning solutions that fail to address the real issue.

Why does Discovery matter?

Discovery matters because it shapes every decision that follows. When done well, it ensures the learning solution is practical, achievable, and aligned to real tasks. It also provides clarity when teams are uncertain about formats, methods, or scope. Strong discovery reduces rework, informs realistic timelines, and guides planning so learning solutions fit the available budget and resources.

What should Discovery include?

What organisational or strategic elements are involved in Discovery?

Discovery requires a clear understanding of the business challenge, the stakeholders involved, and the outcomes that matter most. Emergent Learning is highly effective at helping organisations define what success looks like and ensuring the learning solution supports that outcome.

What analytical processes or methodologies are involved in Discovery?

Discovery involves interviews, task observation, workflow analysis, and reviewing existing materials. Emergent Learning supports this by focusing the analysis on the decisions, mistakes, and barriers that influence performance.

What implementation or resource considerations are involved in Discovery?

Discovery requires access to the right stakeholders, examples of real work, and enough time to explore the context. Emergent Learning helps teams structure the process so it feels clear, focused, and efficient.

What results or outcomes does Discovery produce?

Discovery produces clarity about the problem, the audience, the required behaviours, and the barriers to performance. It culminates in a Discovery Report that summarises findings, recommends learning approaches, and outlines priorities. This report guides the design phase and ensures stakeholders share a common understanding.

What partnership or support elements are required?

Discovery relies on collaboration with SMEs, operational experts, and leaders who understand the work. Emergent Learning supports these conversations by helping stakeholders focus on practical needs, not assumptions.

What cost or investment factors influence decisions about Discovery?

What does an effective Discovery process look like?

Where do I start?

Start by understanding the business problem and the reason learning is being considered. Identify the roles involved and the tasks that need improvement. Emergent Learning helps clarify purpose and ensure the focus stays on real performance needs.

What is involved in building it?

Gather information through interviews, observation, and reviewing existing materials. Explore how people currently work and where challenges appear. Emergent Learning turns this information into practical insights that guide design.

What does the process produce?

The process produces a Discovery Report that outlines the problem, the audience, the constraints, and the recommended learning approach. It also highlights risks, dependencies, and considerations for timelines and budget.

What is the expected outcome?

The outcome is a shared understanding of learning needs and a clear direction for design. Emergent Learning helps embed these findings in the next phase so the final solution remains aligned and effective.

How can organisations improve their approach to Discovery?

How can we create clearer pathways for Discovery?

Use a structured approach and define the information required from each stakeholder. A Discovery Report ensures insights translate into action. Emergent Learning provides simple frameworks that guide this process.

How do we make Discovery relevant across different roles?

Involve people who understand the work and the challenges learners face. Their real examples make the learning solution more practical and valuable.

How can we deliver Discovery consistently?

Use repeatable templates and a clear process. Emergent Learning helps create structures that keep discovery consistent without making it rigid.

How do we measure whether Discovery is effective?

Effective discovery reduces confusion and minimises changes during design. It creates clarity early so later phases feel smoother and more predictable.

How does Discovery apply in real organisations?

A learning team interviews frontline staff to understand why errors are occurring.
Designers observe real tasks to identify the steps where learners struggle most.
Stakeholders work together to define capability gaps before any content is developed.