Will action mapping work for me

Will <a href="http://blog.cathy-moore.com/action-mapping/" target="_blank">action mapping</a> work for your project? Answer 5 quick questions to find out and get advice tailored to your situation. [[Let's start.]]

The "client" is the person who has asked you to develop training. For this project, who is the client? (link: "Someone in the organization in which I work.")[(set: $client to "internal")(goto: "LEARNERS")] (link: "Someone outside the organization in which I work.")[(set: $client to "external")(goto: "LEARNERS")] (link: "I'm the client. I'm developing my own idea.")[(set: $client to "me")(goto: "LEARNERS")]

Which of the following best describes the learners? (link: "Adults in the workplace.")[(set: $am to 2)(set: $workplace to "true")(goto: "ORGTYPE")] (link: "Customers who need to learn how to use a product.")[(set: $am to 1)(set: $customers to "true")(goto: "ORGTYPE")] (link: "Adults who volunteer their services.")[(set: $am to 2)(set: $volunteer to "true")(goto: "ORGTYPE")] (link: "People who need to pass a knowledge test.")[(set: $testonly to "true")(goto: "LOWSCORE")](css: "font-style:italic;font-size:.8rem")[ Most professional certifications, people preparing for entrance exams] (link: "Adults who want to learn something outside of work.")[(set: $am to 0)(set: $nonwork to "true")(goto: "ORGTYPE")](css: "font-style:italic;font-size:.8rem")[ Hobby photographers, people who want to manage their diabetes, people who like philosophy...] (link: "Students in vocational school.")[(set: $am to 0)(set: $votech to "true")(goto: "ORGTYPE")] (link: "Students in university or primary school.")[(set: $am to -2)(set: $acad to "true")(goto: "NOPEACAD")]

What do you plan to do with this project? (link: "Use it in my business.")[(set: $am to it + 1)(set: $ots to "true")(goto: "AUDIENCE")](css: "font-style:italic;font-size:.8rem")[ You're a coach or consultant who wants to provide how-to materials to your clients.] (link: "Sell it to anyone who wants to buy it.")[(set: $am to it - 1)(set: $ots to "true")(goto: "AUDIENCE")](css: "font-style:italic;font-size:.8rem")[ You want to create materials to sell to a wide market.] (if: $votech is "true")[(link: "Use it with my students in class.")[(set: $am to it - 1)(goto: "AUDIENCE")]]

{ (if: $client is "me")[(goto: "MYORG")] (if: $client is "internal")[In what type of organization do you work?] (else:)[In what type of organization does the client work?] } (link: "Business")[(set: $am to it + 2)(goto: "AUDIENCE")] (link: "Non-profit or government")[(set: $am to it + 1)(set: $org to "nonprofit")(goto: "AUDIENCE")] (link: "University or school")[(set: $am to it + 0)(goto: "AUDIENCE")]

How specific is the audience? { (if: $nonwork is not "true")[(link: "They all have the same role in a specific organization.")[(set: $am to it + 2)(set: $focus to "job")(goto: "CLIENTSAYS")](css: "font-style:italic;font-size:.8rem")[ All salespeople at Acme Widgets; all volunteer phone counselors at WeCare ]] (if: $nonwork is not "true")[(link: "They're in a wide range of roles in a specific organization.")[(set: $am to it + 1)(set: $focus to "org")(goto: "CLIENTSAYS")](css: "font-style:italic;font-size:.8rem")[ All employees of Acme Widgets; all volunteers at WeCare ]] (if: $nonwork is not "true")[(link: "They're in a specific profession.")[(set: $am to it + 0)(set: $focus to "profession")(set: $ots to "true")(goto: "CLIENTSAYS")](css: "font-style:italic;font-size:.8rem")[ Web designers; cardiac nurses in the UK; chief financial officers ]] (if: $workplace is not "true" and $votech is not "true")[(link: "They have a specific condition or level of achievement in a hobby.")[(set: $am to it + 0)(set: $focus to "hobby")(set: $ots to "true")(goto: "CLIENTSAYS")](css: "font-style:italic;font-size:.8rem")[ Adults with Type 1 diabetes; tae kwon do practitioners with a blue belt ]] (link: "They're anyone who might benefit from the material.")[(set: $am to it - 2)(set: $focus to "anyone")(set: $ots to "true")(goto: "CLIENTSAYS")](css: "font-style:italic;font-size:.8rem")[ Any person who wants to learn X] }

{ (if: $client is "me")[How would you describe the learners?] (else:)[What does the client say about the learners?] } (link: "They need to do X better.")[(set: $am to it + 2)(set: $do to "true")(goto: "RESULT")] (link: "They need to be aware of X.")[(set: $am to it - 0)(set: $aware to "true")(goto: "RESULT")] { (if:$nonwork is not "true")[ (link: "They're new to the organization, so they need onboarding.")[(set: $am to it - 1)(set: $onboard to "true")(goto: "RESULT")] ] } (link: "A new policy / program / product is coming out, so they need training on it.")[(set: $am to it - 0)(set: $new to "true")(goto: "RESULT")] [(link: "They're legally required to go through this material.")[(set: $am to it - 1)(set: $compliance to "true")(goto: "RESULT")]] (link: "They need to feel more confident or engaged.")[(set: $am to it - 1)(set: $goal to "feelings")(goto: "RESULT")] (link: "They need to pass a test.")[(set: $am to it - 0)(set: $clienttest to "true")(goto: "RESULT")] (link: "They might like to learn about X.")[(set: $am to it - 3)(set: $goal to "liketolearn")(goto: "RESULT")] { (if: $votech is "true")[(link: "They need to learn X because it's part of the curriculum.")[(set: $am to it - 2)(set: $curric to "true")(goto: "LOWSCORE")]] }

{ (if: $am >= 6)[<img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/cathymooremedia/willamwork-yes.PNG"> Action mapping will probably help you. ] (if: $am >= 3 and it <= 5)[<img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/cathymooremedia/willamwork-yes.PNG"> Action mapping will probably help you, with the following considerations.] (if: $am >= -1 and it <= 2)[<img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/cathymooremedia/willamwork-maybe.PNG"> Action mapping could help you, but consider the following.] (if: $am <= -2)[(goto: "LOWSCORE")] } { (if: $focus is "job")[(colour: "#6B8E23")[Focused on one role ]By focusing on one role in one organization, you'll be in a great position to specify what people need to do and answer, "What makes it difficult?" ] (if: $do is "true" and $client is not "me")[(colour: "#6B8E23")[Client wants action ]Your client realizes that change happens when people do things differently, which puts you in a great position to use action mapping. With luck, the client will encourage the same mindset in the subject matter expert. ] (if: $do is "true" and $client is "me")[(colour: "#6B8E23")[You want action ]You realize that change happens when people do things differently, which puts you in a great position to use action mapping. ] (if: $aware is "true")[(colour: "#8B0000")["They need to be aware" ] It's very common to want people to be "aware" of something. To write a better goal, you need to identify why people need to be aware. What will they do differently when they're aware of X? How will (if: $nonwork is "true")[they](else:)[the organization] benefit? How will you measure that change? For more, see <a href="http://blog.cathy-moore.com/2012/12/what-to-do-if-they-just-want-awareness/" target="_blank">What to do if they just want "awareness."</a> ] (if: $clienttest is "true" and $client is not "me")[(colour: "#8B0000")["They need to pass a test" ]Your client thinks the goal is for learners to pass a test. Is this true, or is the client assuming a knowledge test is required in all training? If the learners really do need to simply pass a test, such as for certification, then action mapping isn't appropriate. However, if the client is just over-focusing on what they assume will be a final assessment, action mapping might be useful. You'll need to help the client see that the real goal is a change in performance, not a score on a knowledge test. For more, see <a href="http://blog.cathy-moore.com/2009/08/why-you-want-to-focus-on-actions-not-learning-objectives/" target="_blank">Why you want to focus on actions, not learning objectives.</a> ] (if: $clienttest is "true" and $client is "me")[(colour: "#8B0000")["They need to pass a test" ]Your current goal is for learners to pass a test. Is this true, or are you assuming a knowledge test is required in all training? If the learners really do need to simply pass a test, such as for certification, then action mapping isn't appropriate. However, if you're just over-focusing on what you assume will be a final assessment, action mapping might be useful. You'll need to let go of the school mindset and see that the real goal is a change in performance, not a score on a knowledge test. For more, see <a href="http://blog.cathy-moore.com/2009/08/why-you-want-to-focus-on-actions-not-learning-objectives/" target="_blank">Why you want to focus on actions, not learning objectives.</a> ] (if: $compliance is "true")[(colour: "#8B0000")[Compliance ]In compliance training, you're often expected to present specific information. However, you can still use action mapping to meet the requirements while making the material much more relevant and useful. First, identify how the training supports the performance of the organization. For example, if the compliance requirement is that all managers must learn the XYZ model of supporting diverse teams, identify how the organization benefits from that. Then set a performance goal using that measure, such as, "Employee retention will increase X% by DATE as all managers apply the XYZ model." Then list what managers need to do differently, identify why they aren't doing it now, and design practice activities, not information presentations, that will help them practice doing those things. If you're required to "expose" people to certain information, you could provide it in non-optional feedback to each decision, not as a separate information presentation. For example, instead of displaying the required text about X and then testing me, you could plunge me into a scenario in which I need to apply X while making a decision. Then, whether I made a good decision or not, in the feedback include the text about X that you're required to "expose" me to. ] (if: $goal is "feelings")[(colour: "#8B0000")["Feelings" goal ]It's common to want the audience to feel differently. However, you won't be able to justify the cost of your project unless you identify a change in the performance of the organization, rather than a change in people's feelings. A "feelings" goal will also make it hard for you to identify what people need to do on the job. You could strengthen the goal by identifying a performance measure that will improve when the feelings improve. For example, more confident people might be less likely to quit, so (if: $volunteer is not "true")[employee](else:)[volunteer] retention could improve. However, you'll probably still struggle to identify what people need to do differently. "Feelings" goals often hide a problem. When you bring that problem into the open, you'll not only be able to measure it, you'll also more easily list what people need to do differently. For example, if the current goal is for pediatric nurses to feel more confident when working with patients from other cultures, what you really want could be more like, "Patient satisfaction scores will improve X% by DATE as all pediatric nurses use communication techniques appropriate to each patient's culture." For more, see <a href="http://blog.cathy-moore.com/2013/11/how-to-create-a-training-goal-in-2-quick-steps/" target="_blank">How to create a training goal in 2 quick steps</a>. ] (if: $org is "nonprofit")[(colour: "#8B0000")[Prepare for challenges with the goal ]Non-profit and governmental organizations often struggle to identify a business goal for the project, which is the first step of action mapping. They might say, "We don't measure anything." You might encourage the client to measure the issue now, and then measure it again once the project has been in place for a while. To identify a measure, ask how the project contributes to the mission of the organization. For more, see <a href="http://blog.cathy-moore.com/2013/11/how-to-create-a-training-goal-in-2-quick-steps/" target="_blank">How to create a training goal in 2 quick steps</a>. ] (if: $onboard is "true" and $volunteer is not "true")[(colour: "#8B0000")[The current goal is probably weak ]When the project is to train new people, often the only goal is, "Tell them everything they need to know." Instead, set a goal that shows how the organization benefits from helping new hires quickly form part of the team. Identify the most painful problem associated with new hires, and make that your measure. Some example goals: "New hires do MajorJobTask to acceptable standards within two weeks of hiring" or "Calls to the help desk decrease X% by DATE as new hires independently use OnlineHelpSystem." Also, prepare to argue for improving existing resources, rather than using "training" to inject people with information that they should be able to find on the job. For more, see <a href="http://blog.cathy-moore.com/2013/11/how-to-create-a-training-goal-in-2-quick-steps/" target="_blank">How to create a training goal in 2 quick steps</a>. ] (if: $onboard is "true" and $volunteer is "true")[(colour: "#8B0000")[The current goal is probably weak ]When the project is to train new people, often the only goal is, "Tell them everything they need to know." Instead, set a goal that shows how the organization benefits from helping new volunteers quickly form part of the team. Identify the most painful problem associated with new people, and make that your measure. Some example goals: "New volunteers do MajorTask to acceptable standards within two weeks of starting" or "The response rate for DisasterType decreases X% by DATE as new volunteers correctly interpret and act on notices from the DisasterAlertSystem." Also, prepare to argue for improving existing resources, rather than using "training" to inject people with information that they should be able to find while performing their tasks. For more, see <a href="http://blog.cathy-moore.com/2013/11/how-to-create-a-training-goal-in-2-quick-steps/" target="_blank">How to create a training goal in 2 quick steps</a>. ] (if: $new is "true" and $customers is not "true" and $org is not "nonprofit")[(colour: "#8B0000")[Weak goal: "Train them on this new thing" ]It's common to believe that the arrival of a new thing means that everyone must be trained on it. The current goal is probably something like "Train everyone on X by DATE." For action mapping to help, you'll need to step back and ask, "Why was this new thing implemented? How will it improve the performance of the organization?" That benefit becomes your goal. For example, if new software is supposed to reduce errors in TPS reports, the goal for your project could become, "The TPS report error rate will decrease 20% by DATE as all TPS clerks correctly use the new software." Then list the major tasks people need to perform with the new thing to reach your goal. For each high-priority task, ask, "What might make this difficult?" Brainstorm all solutions, not just training. For example, you might just need some good job aids. If the new thing is a new product, you can take a similar approach. Your goal could be a certain level of sales of that product, or customer satisfaction, or error-free repairs, depending on the job role of the audience. Then list what the people in that job need to do, not know. For example, a salesperson doesn't just need to know the features of NewProduct. They need to correctly match NewProduct to the needs of each customer. For more, see <a href="http://blog.cathy-moore.com/2013/11/how-to-create-a-training-goal-in-2-quick-steps/" target="_blank">How to create a training goal in 2 quick steps</a>. If the new thing is software, also see <a href="http://blog.cathy-moore.com/faqconc/how-should-i-design-technical-or-software-training/" target="_blank">How should I design software training?</a> ] (if: $new is "true" and $org is "nonprofit")[(colour: "#8B0000")[Weak goal: "Train them on this new thing" ]It's common to believe that the arrival of a new thing means that everyone must be trained on it. The current goal is probably something like, "Train everyone on X by DATE." For action mapping to help, you'll need to step back and ask, "Why was this new thing implemented? How will it improve the performance of the organization?" That benefit becomes your goal. For example, if new software is supposed to reduce errors in TPS reports, the goal for your project could become, "The TPS report error rate will decrease 20% by DATE as all TPS clerks correctly use the new software." Then list the major tasks people need to perform with the new thing to reach your goal. For each high-priority task, ask, "What might make this difficult?" Brainstorm all solutions, not just training. For example, you might just need some good job aids. For more on setting a goal, see <a href="http://blog.cathy-moore.com/2013/11/how-to-create-a-training-goal-in-2-quick-steps/" target="_blank">How to create a training goal in 2 quick steps</a>. If the new thing is software, also see <a href="http://blog.cathy-moore.com/faqconc/how-should-i-design-technical-or-software-training/" target="_blank">How should I design software training?</a> ] (if: $new is "true" and $customers is "true")[(colour: "#8B0000")[Weak goal: "Train them on this new thing" ]It's common to believe that the arrival of a new product or version means that all customers will require training. For action mapping to help, you'll need to step back and ask, "Why was this new thing implemented? What benefit will the customers receive?" That benefit becomes your goal. For example, if new software is supposed to reduce errors in TPS reports, the goal for your project could become, "Customers' TPS report error rates will decrease as they correctly use the new software." Then list the major tasks people need to perform with the new thing to reach your goal. For each high-priority task, ask, "What might make this difficult?" Brainstorm all solutions, not just training. For example, you might just need some good job aids. For more, see <a href="http://blog.cathy-moore.com/2013/11/how-to-create-a-training-goal-in-2-quick-steps/" target="_blank">How to create a training goal in 2 quick steps</a>. If the new thing is software, also see <a href="http://blog.cathy-moore.com/faqconc/how-should-i-design-technical-or-software-training/" target="_blank">How should I design software training?</a> ] (if: $focus is "anyone" or $focus is "profession")[(colour: "#8B0000")[Need to get creative with the goal ]Usually, the goal describes how a specific organization's performance will improve thanks to the project. However, your audience could be almost anyone, anywhere. Consider writing a goal from the perspective of the person who will use your materials. What change do they hope to see in their own lives or jobs? ] (if: $focus is "org")[(colour: "#8B0000")[Audience is probably too broad ]Your project is currently expected to help a wide range of (if: $volunteer is not "true")[employees](else:)[volunteers]. This will make it difficult for you to identify concretely and specifically what people in each role need to do differently and what might make it difficult. You'll also struggle to write relevant practice activities. Consider tightening the audience to focus on one role. A weaker second choice is to provide different paths through the material for different roles, but then your analysis will probably be shallow because it will be spread across a wide range of people. ] (if: $focus is "profession")[(colour: "#8B0000")[Audience is broad ]You're creating materials for anyone in a certain profession. They could have very different working conditions and face a wide variety of challenges. Because of this diversity, you'll need to be creative as you identify what they need to do differently and why they might struggle to do it. Consider creating a few personas, which are fictional people that represent common segments of your audience. Use the personas as examples as you imagine what difficulties people might be having and you brainstorm solutions and practice activities. ] (if: $nonwork is "true" and $focus is "hobby")[(colour: "#8B0000")[Audience is broad ]You're creating materials for people who share a common interest but who could face very different challenges. You'll need to be creative as you identify what they need to do and why they might struggle to do it. Consider creating a few personas, which are fictional people that represent common segments of your audience. Use the personas as examples as you imagine what difficulties people might be having and you brainstorm solutions and practice activities. ] (if: $onboard is "true" and $volunteer is not "true")[(colour: "#8B0000")[Focus on what people need to do, not know ]When the goal is to train new employees, it's common for the project to turn into a massive information dump: "Here's everything you could possibly need to know!" Instead, identify the main things you want new people to do as a result of the onboarding. Some examples: "Choose your health plan using the online HealthPlanChooser," "Look CommonInfo up on IntranetReference instead of bothering your coworkers," and "When you have a specific question, find the best person to ask using OnlineDirectory." Once you've identified the behaviors, you can brainstorm practice activities (e.g. What's the best benefit package for Bob? How should Sarah find the right person for her question about widget upgrades?). The activities would ideally have people use the real-world references. For more, see <a href="http://blog.cathy-moore.com/2009/08/why-you-want-to-focus-on-actions-not-learning-objectives/" target="_blank">Why you want to focus on actions, not learning objectives.</a> ] (if: $onboard is "true" and $volunteer is "true")[(colour: "#8B0000")[Focus on what people need to do, not know ]When the goal is to train new people, it's common for the project to turn into a massive information dump: "Here's everything you could possibly need to know!" Instead, identify the main things you want new people to do as a result of the onboarding. Some examples: "Look CommonInfo up on IntranetReference instead of asking around," and "When you have a specific question, find the best person to ask using OnlineDirectory." Once you've identified the behaviors, you can brainstorm practice activities (e.g. Bob wants to know how to fill out his daily report. Where can he find the instructions? or How should Sarah find the right person for her question about dengue prevention?). The activities would ideally have people use the real-world references. For more, see <a href="http://blog.cathy-moore.com/2009/08/why-you-want-to-focus-on-actions-not-learning-objectives/" target="_blank">Why you want to focus on actions, not learning objectives.</a> ] (if: $customers is "true")[(colour: "#8B0000")[Focus on what people use the product to do ]Consider focusing on the common use cases for the product. What are the most common tasks the product is used to complete? Base your analysis and activities on those tasks, to avoid creating generic, abstract material like a description of every feature or a tour of the software menus. ] (if: $goal is "liketolearn")[(colour: "#8B0000")["Learning" focus could cause trouble ]Currently, the reason for creating the project is, "They might like to learn about X." If you don't change that, you'll have trouble getting stakeholders to focus on what people need to do, rather than what they might like to know. You'll get better results from action mapping if you can convince the people involved to identify the behavioral changes that it supports. Action mapping is designed to change behavior, not just transmit knowledge. ] <a href="https://blog.cathy-moore.com/book-map-it/" target="_blank"><img src="https://blog.cathy-moore.com/wp-content/map-it-3d-125.jpg" width="125" height="200" style="float:left; padding-right: 8px"></a>(colour: "#6B8E23")[Still have questions? ]<a href="https://blog.cathy-moore.com/book-map-it/" style="color: #6B8E23; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">My book</a> takes you step by step through action mapping, helping you turn training requests into projects that make a real difference. You'll help the client identify what's really causing the problem, and if training is part of the solution, you'll enjoy creating challenging activities that people want to complete. }

<img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/cathymooremedia/willamwork-no.PNG"> Action mapping isn't intended for education. You need one or both of the following to benefit from the model: <ul><li>A focused audience, such as adults in a specific job or organization, so you can identify the real-world obstacles they face</li> <li>A goal to change what they do, not what they know</li></ul> For more, see <a href="http://blog.cathy-moore.com/faqconc/does-action-mapping-work-in-education/" target="_blank">Does action mapping work in education?</a>

<img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/cathymooremedia/willamwork-no.PNG"> Action mapping isn't intended for situations like yours. You need one or both of the following to benefit from the model: <ul><li>A focused audience, such as people in a specific job or organization, so you can identify the real-world obstacles they face</li> <li>A goal to change what they do, not what they know or feel</li></ul> { (if: $goal is "liketolearn")[(colour: "#8B0000")[Learning focus will cause trouble ][It looks like you're emphasizing learning about a topic in general, rather than changing specific behaviors. Action mapping is designed to help people practice doing things differently. It doesn't work well when you plan to deliver more generic content. ]] (if: $testonly is "true")[(colour: "#8B0000")[Test preparation ][If the only reason for the project is to prepare people for a knowledge test, then action mapping isn't appropriate. The model is designed to change behaviors and help people practice doing things differently. It doesn't help people practice for a knowledge test. ]] (if: $curric is "true")[(colour: "#8B0000")["They're required to know this" ][If the main reason for the project is to provide content required by the curriculum, action mapping isn't appropriate. The model is intended to help people change what they do on their job, and it doesn't work well when you need to deliver generic content required by others. ]] (if: $goal is "feelings")[(colour: "#8B0000")["Feelings" goal ][Currently, your goal is to make people feel differently, while action mapping is all about doing things differently. You might step back and ask, "What will they do differently when their feelings change?" Focus on that. You can certainly design activities that will help them change their feelings, but for action mapping, your goal is to get them to act in observable ways, not just feel. ]] (if: $focus is "anyone")[(colour: "#8B0000")[Audience is very broad ][Currently, your audience could be almost anyone, anywhere. As a result, it will be hard for you to identify what they need to do differently and what challenges they might face when doing it. Consider tightening your focus. ]] <a href="https://blog.cathy-moore.com/book-map-it/" target="_blank"><img src="https://blog.cathy-moore.com/wp-content/map-it-3d-125.jpg" width="125" height="200" style="float:left; padding-right: 8px"></a>(colour: "#6B8E23")[Still have questions? ]<a href="https://blog.cathy-moore.com/book-map-it/" style="color: #6B8E23; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">My book</a> takes you step by step through action mapping, helping you turn training requests into projects that make a real difference. You'll help the client identify what's really causing the problem, and if training is part of the solution, you'll enjoy creating challenging activities that people want to complete. }