{"id":22392,"date":"2022-06-14T11:43:40","date_gmt":"2022-06-14T16:43:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/trainingmag.com\/?p=22392"},"modified":"2022-06-14T11:43:40","modified_gmt":"2022-06-14T16:43:40","slug":"you-cant-improve-what-you-cant-measure","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/trainingmag.com\/you-cant-improve-what-you-cant-measure\/","title":{"rendered":"You Can\u2019t Improve What You Can\u2019t Measure"},"content":{"rendered":"

Got all the answers correct? Completed the course? Received a certificate? While there are countless eLearning platforms on the market today, they often prove nothing more than attendance, boxes checked, and completion. Yet the question remains: Can the employee apply what they just learned? Simply passing a test tells you nothing other than the ability to retain information.<\/p>\n

One traditional approach to training involves thinking about roles and mapping activity to a position. Today, the talent and learning space emphasizes skills as a \u201ctalent currency,\u201d beyond vertically test-taking or certificates or training. Because people need to develop critical thinking, problem solving, and empathy to work on new projects and possibly lead new teams, companies are moving toward learning simulation platforms\u2014accelerating skill development in a more agile fashion. Just as important as skill development is skill measurement. Learning simulation platforms deliver on both.<\/p>\n

Learning Simulation Platforms Net Measurable Results<\/h2>\n

A learning simulation platform (LSP) acts as an upskilling accelerator, engaging learners while delivering measurable results\u2014in many cases, as much as 20 to 50 percent skills improvement. An LSP helps drive engaging, personalized learning paths to improve critical human and business skills through immersive learning. And it\u2019s highly scalable, allowing for broad rollouts to large dispersed audiences, from a few employees to upwards of 100,000 globally.<\/p>\n

Perhaps the biggest differentiator, however, between eLearning and LSPs, is data. LSPs uncover deep, actionable insights into existing skill levels and how different cohorts are improving with practice\u2014continually. Verifiable skills data enables companies to make strategic business decisions regarding talent and create an internal talent marketplace\u2014matching individuals to opportunities and potential roles based on their skills, with real talent currency for internal mobility.<\/p>\n

Learners are immersed in realistic scenarios in psychologically safe environments where making mistakes is safe. Here, they demonstrate their current skills and have the opportunity to learn, progress, and grow\u2014and it shows in the data. How did they fare the first time? After the simulation? Where do they need more help? Fact is, LSPs deliver measurable data that informs decisions and demonstrates impact\u2014proving to business stakeholders that the investment they\u2019re making is helping to move the needle, improving the skills and behaviors of employees. Without data, it\u2019s all guesswork.<\/p>\n

As one industry expert put it, \u201cIf immersed, you think better, faster, stronger.\u201d Enterprises worldwide couldn\u2019t agree more, as immersive learning is proven and recognized across industries\u2014and companies that use data perform better than those stuck in the past.<\/p>\n

Gartner<\/a> recently noted that \u201cdata and analytics are the key accelerants of an organization\u2019s digitization and transformation efforts.\u201d And \u201cleading organizations in every industry are wielding data and analytics as competitive weapons.\u201d Yet Gartner also found that fewer than 50 percent<\/a> of corporate strategies mentioned data and analytics as fundamental components for delivering enterprise value. With the emergence of LSPs, rich data is readily available to guide decisions.<\/p>\n

LSPs Walk the Walk<\/h2>\n

A pharmaceutical firm finds that staff train 15x<\/a> faster with immersive simulation versus instructor-led training. In addition, it experienced a 21 percent increase in learner performance scores for critical skills that mitigate risk and reduce errors. New employees take a 12-minute simulation versus a three-hour classroom session in onboarding.<\/p>\n

Another case in point: A global professional services firm found that 99 percent of learners successfully apply new skills after an LSP delivers their immersive learning programs. In addition, by using learner data captured in the LSP to allow some people to \u201ctest out\u201d of specific courses, the company saved 45,000-plus hours of projected seat time, increasing productivity.<\/p>\n

A multinational technology company will save $5.6 million in program costs based on its initial rollout to 45,000 learners. It\u2019s on target to achieve a 20x increase in participation from 5,000 to 100,000 learners. And with an 81 learner Net Promoter Score for immersive simulation experiences, the immersive learning program is considered an enormous success.<\/p>\n

The Learner Journey\u2014Beyond Pass\/Fail<\/h2>\n

How does immersive learning work? It has nothing to do with the retention of facts. Instead, it has everything to do with the practical application of skills, taking an individual from a superficial \u201cunderstanding\u201d of the information to a successful, real-time application on the job.<\/p>\n

The upskilling journey starts with measurement\u2014assessing skills to understand where the employee stands on a particular set of skills. Then, a customized immersive program is developed to address the skills gap or boost skills for new roles. The program\u2019s measurement of skills is built with data readily available via dashboards.<\/p>\n

The Difference Is in the Details<\/h2>\n

LSPs focus on data that provides valuable intelligence and, as a result, tangible results. While other learning methods primarily focus on knowledge transfer and simple knowledge checks, LSPs concentrate on applying skills and measuring learner skills, behaviors, and application rates of what they\u2019ve learned.<\/p>\n

Immersive learning works simply\u2014and transparently. For example, Learning and Development (L&D) teams receive scheduled push reports that help them monitor and manage the program, measure its impact on skill levels, and view learner segments (including high, mid, and low performers), as well as learner seat time\u2014which reflects time savings due to adaptive personalization. They also can see skill improvements and behavior change, allowing the organization to improve the effectiveness of L&D programs and focus resources and investments in the right areas.<\/p>\n

Business stakeholders receive reports on upskilling results, skill trends, gaps, and which learners need the most help to prioritize support. Likewise, learners receive personalized reports to understand their skill levels, strengths, and skill gaps and what additional development they need, allowing them to manage their development plans.<\/p>\n

The Value of Data<\/h2>\n

With accurate skills data uncovered and shared, a company can improve what is measured\u2014and make actionable strategic and tactical decisions. Organizations have used simulation data to make several decisions. For example:<\/p>\n