Unlocking Results: How Action Mapping Can Drive Effective Learning Programs

Action mapping is a powerful instructional design methodology that can help organizations create effective learning programs that drive behavioural outcomes. This approach is centered around the concept of creating clear and measurable objectives that are tied to business goals, and then designing learning activities that enable learners to achieve these objectives.

The first step in action mapping is to identify the desired business outcomes. This could be anything from increasing sales, improving customer satisfaction, or reducing errors in a manufacturing process. Once the desired outcomes are identified, the next step is to define the specific tasks that are needed to achieve these outcomes.

Once the tasks have been mapped, the next step is to explore the challenges with completing these tasks and dig into how a learning activity can help to overcome this challenge. For example, when learning a new system, often the learner doesn't need to be instructed on how to log in, however they do need to know where they can find their log in details. This also involves selecting the most suitable learning mode, such as e-learning modules, job aids, or on-the-job training. The key is to ensure that each learning activity is most effective in supporting the task, and that progress can be tracked and evaluated.

One of the benefits of action mapping is that it shifts the conversation around learning design to focus on driving performance uplift. This helps to ensure that training is not seen as a one-size-fits-all solution, but rather as a targeted approach that is tailored to the specific needs of the business, whilst also considering the preferences of each learner.

Another benefit of action mapping is that it enables organizations to evaluate the effectiveness of their training programs. By tracking progress against the specific behaviors that are needed to achieve learning outcomes, organizations can determine whether their training programs are producing the desired results. This allows organizations to make data-driven decisions to improve their training programs and ensure that they are delivering maximum value to the business.

If you're looking to create effective learning programs that produce tangible results, we can help! Our expertise in action mapping allows us to design targeted and impactful learning programs that are tailored to the specific needs of your organization. Contact us today to learn more about our instructional design services, and how we can help your organization achieve its training and development goals.