by Rukhsana Zulfiqar

Created on: January 19, 2010

An initiative is an enterprise learning program, project or activity which results in a recognizable business impact.  It improves the performance management of the organization. Such an initiative can include the following activities:

A reorganization of enterprise learning functions (e.g: the introduction of a learning services model).

An introduction of corporate governance to address enterprise learning issues, a measurement program (involving the use of analytics) which can enable the capture of actionable information for program or operational improvement.

 A cross-discipline training involving multiple lines of business which can drive major organizational change, alignment, or other benefits.

A new career development program or model which can enable organizational learning to take place in more comprehensive and integrated ways.

Performance initiative can also include Quality Improvement Program or Total Quality Management to continuously monitor and improve the quality of products or services.

 It can involve a talent management or competency development initiative which can identify key performers as part of the performance management activities.

 An informal learning program, communications program, or collaborative learning program which can drive high levels of organizational change and learning and can affect multiple individual training programs.

It might involve the use of social networking in some innovative way to improve or support an organizational learning strategy or program.

Adoption of a performance consulting process that can address business issues through the use of root cause analysis and a multi-discipline solution (For example; blended learning, business process re-engineering, documentation development, job role or task restructuring, adjustment in the enterprise applications or management technologies, etc.)

A unique measurement process and system which can drive actionable improvements.

  Creation of e-learning standards or a learning architecture which can lead to improvement in content development quality and efficiency. 

 A program for competency-based learning (For example; a program targeted to particular managers to drive retention) or a departmental or enterprise-wide competency assessment program.

There is increasing demand that organizations must transform themselves to institutionalize these performance improvement practices. It requires increased demand for accountability on the part of governing bodies, the media and the public in general. There is a mounting commitment required from management and employees to focus on results and work more deliberately to strengthen performance. The need of performance measurement is growing with the time. It requires careful planning, consistent implementation, communication and working towards a culture of accountability. This will help to move an organization beyond performance data collection to effective performance management.

Learn more about this author, Rukhsana Zulfiqar.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.