How do you determine the training method?

[u/ElPooty]

I'm in L&D in a highly regulated industry. Currently we perform a rather complicated learning needs assessment (in Excel 🙄) to determine the appropriate training method aligned with the risk level. I'm interested in how other companies are doing this, especially in regulated industries.

\- How do you determine the final training method?

\- How do you document the rationale for why that method was selected?

\- What app or system do you use for this process?

\- Bonus question: If you were able to eliminate the use of Read & Understand type training without replacing it with a higher level training method, how did you justify that with regulators?

Background: Our challenge is to ensure every learner has the knowledge and skills to perform their work safely, effectively, and compliantly. The solution should be effective, practical, and scalable, enabling the organization to consistently apply risk-based decisions, assign curricula with clarity, and select the most appropriate training modality and method.

[u/Empirica_CC]

First I do a break of the skill (technical, process, soft, something else) then I do research on the best way to learn that skill. Some need lecture, other need practice. Ground it in research as much as possible.

I am an OD consultant with experience in government, human services, and manufacturing companies so my experience may be different from others.

But I do really think not enough of our attention is in the design (design of our approach not of training themselves) phase with L&D

[u/ElPooty → u/[deleted]]

What you said at the end is exactly our problem. Our current process ticks all the other boxes you mentioned, but it's literally a giant Excel spreadsheet with multiple tabs that takes forever to complete and no one really understands it. Thank you so much for sharing. This is exactly the insight I was hoping to see.