1.1. Performance Improvement Process

Area of Expertise  (AOE) 1: Performance Improvement; Subsection 1.1.: Performance Improvement Process
Learning Objectives for Performance Improvement Process:

• Explain the importance of understanding multiple performance improvement models
• Describe the ATD Human Performance Improvement Model
• Describe the steps of the performance improvement process and how they related to each other
• Describe Rummler-Braches’ nine box model
• Recall one alternate performance model

The purpose of performance improvement is to strengthen the organizational processes, systems, products, or services, specifically aims to:

• Identify the goals of the organization
• Define the gap between desired performance and actual performance
• Identify the causes of the performance gap
• Select appropriate solutions that will address those causes
• Implement the solutions
• Evaluate the results

A few things mentioned on this Learn/Perform “track”:

• Performance Management -- example of a cycle
• What is Human Performance Improvement (HPI)? 
• Overview of the Performance Improvement Process
• What is Human Performance Improvement (HPT)?
  • Human: the individuals and groups that make up our organizations
  • Performance: activities and measurable outcomes​
  • Technology: a systematic and systemic approach to solve practical problems
• Backward Design (Wiggins & McTighe)
  • E.g. Backward Design with TED Ed
• Design Thinking is a process for creative problem solving
• Competency-Based Education
• Performance Improvement/HPT Model: Guiding the Process [links to PDF] 
• Overview and IMAGE of the ATD (formerly called ASTD) HPI Model
• Performance Improvement/HPT Model (image for change management)
• HPI under ATD; HPT under ISPI 
• Root Cause Analysis: explained with examples and methods
• Factors that Affect Human Performance: knowledge, skill, desire (motivation), environment, opportunity

Models Mentioned

• Gilbert’s Behavior Engineering Model 
• Mager & Pipe’s Model for Analyzing Performance Problems
• Rummler & Brache -- Process Improvement with the 9 box matrix & 9 Box Grid
• Harless Model - Front-End Analysis
• Using Performance DNA to guide HPI Project Success + Performance DNA Leadership Model Report [slides]
• Fundamentals of HPI - Performance Info-line PDF (2000)

Shared Principles of Performance Improvement

1. Use of a results-based, systematic approach
2. Focus on outcomes rather than behavior
3. Organizations are systems 

Key areas of focus for performance improvement: organizational goals and initiatives + changement skills (impetus skills, communication channels/information networks, group dynamics, process, facilitation skills, etc.)

Books mentioned in this episode:

• HBR Guide to Performance Management (2017)
• Handbook of Human Performance Technology: Principles, Practices, and Potential, 3rd Edition (2006) Edited by Pershing & Stolovitch --Chapter 38: Making the Transition from a Learning to Performance Function 
• Wiggins, G. & McTighe, J. (2005). Understanding by design (2nd ed). NJ: Prentice Hall.
• Serious Performance Consulting According to Rummler (2007)