Category Archives: Uncategorized

People learn by different means. That is not likely a mystery to most people, but if our training efforts are going to reach our audience (those performing the processes essential to our organizations’ success), we must ensure our training processes … Continue reading →

In the previous three posts, we discussed the use of color, photographs and diagrams. One last device to add attractiveness to a procedure combines color and graphics. This is what I term a “highlight box.” A highlight box takes a … Continue reading →

In the last post, we discussed the effective use of photos, as well as the pitfalls created by mis-using or over-using photos. But sometimes photographs are not the best vehicles to graphically represent a piece of equipment. Let me share … Continue reading →

I  am pleased to report that when I published Part 1 of this series, the good folks at Word Press congratulated me on reaching the 50-post plateau in my blogging career. It applauded me for “reaching my goal.” I do … Continue reading →

It was in 2000, working for an aerospace materials company, when it dawned on me that there was no need to stick to black and white when developing an operating procedure. The main drawback at the time was the relative … Continue reading →

In previous posts, I have discussed that operating procedures must be formatted and developed in a way that lets them achieve their mission. In my reckoning over the years, the principal — in fact, only — reason for a procedure to exist … Continue reading →

To wrap up this discussion, we will look at the dynamic of Step 1 of the Seven Steps. I am telling the trainee at the outset of training to read the procedure. Once the procedure is read, the trainee and … Continue reading →

Now we get to the central theme of this series. If I have a procedure whose relevance has been established through task identification, and I have written it in such a way as to enable learning, then it is time … Continue reading →

To structure procedures to facilitate learning, the procedure should establish learning “hooks” early on, and use these hooks to hang additional learning. In general, a procedure flow would look like this: 1. An introduction that describes the content of the … Continue reading →

Procedures must connect directly to the work performed to be effective in achieving their desired intent. That is the “relevance” test. The second critical element of the procedure is that they must be learning-focused. Since the procedure is only as … Continue reading →