Disclaimer: I have been an active "free" user of LinkedIn for 5.463 years with more than 3000 (1st degree) connections from all over the world. I have no vested interest in LinkedIn other than as a user of the services it provides. Despite the fact that LinkedIn was originally designed as a network for business professionals, not…

Identifies scholars and practitioners who are key contributors to the field of performance improvement and are members of the International Society for Performance Improvement (ISPI). Describes the concept of human performance technology, and discusses the late Dr. Thomas F. Gilbert's concept of performance and his help with founding ISPI and…

Discusses the concept of differentiating between legitimate needs (gaps between current and desired results) and wants (the customer's preferred solution for meeting needs). A case study from a human resources development group is presented, including a proposed solution, the performance technology compromise, and impacts on design and evaluation.…

Reviews the traditional formative evaluation model used by instructional designers; summarizes Kirkpatrick's model of evaluation; proposes the integration of part of Kirkpatrick's model with traditional formative evaluation; and discusses performance-context formative evaluation. (three references) (LRW)

Discussion of human performance technology (HPT) interventions focuses on requests for solutions to problems that involve conflict between the FEFM ("Fix 'em for me") Virus and the WIIFM ("What's in it for me?") Requirement. Building a relationship of mutual trust and confidence with the client and demonstrating responsiveness…

This third part in a series of six articles on human performance technology (HPT) highlights four characteristics that are needed for managers to successfully advance from practicing training to practicing HPT, including becoming competent with the technology, understanding the client's business, developing trust and credibility, and being…

Discussion of ethics focuses on the role of human performance technology professionals in helping corporate ethicists. Highlights include definitions of ethics, morals, values, and business ethics; ethics in academia and in business; and application of the knowledge of ethics to decision-making. (Contains 18 references.) (LRW)

Reviews and summarizes "Things That Make Us Smart," a book by Donald Norman that defends human attributes in the age of electronic systems. Topics include human performance; kinds of cognition; kinds of learning; design principles for electronic performance support systems; and examples. (LRW)

Examines attributes, characteristics, and behaviors of performance-centered software packages that are emerging in the consumer software marketplace and compares them with large-scale systems software being designed by internal information systems staffs and vendors of large-scale software designed for financial, manufacturing, processing, and…

Presents a case study based on experiences at Amway Corporation that explains how the Human Resources Development Department progressed from providing training to providing a broader range of human performance technology interventions. Strategic planning is described, including identifying incentives and required competencies, providing for…

Describes "DesignStation 2000," a software and hardware workbench for laptop computers for the design of learning systems that includes capabilities for needs analysis; client presentation and proposal generation; rapid prototyping of interactive media projects; collaboration and project tracking; assessment of results; and adding to a…

At 81 years old, Robert F. (Bob) Mager is the granddaddy of modern performance analysis and instructional design techniques. Although he has retired from the profession, he is still actively learning. He is currently working on his fourth novel, and is also an award-winning ventriloquist and is taking flamenco lessons. Perhaps best known in the…

Discusses the value of training interventions for performance improvement based on the author's experiences with various training events. Topics include making clear expectations; accomplishment-based project planning; understanding performance problems; and participant learning and instructional benefits. (LRW)

This interview study examines the collective advice, concerns, and recommendations of 15 past presidents of ISPI (International Society for Performance Improvement) regarding essential skills for performance technologists, the application of instructional technology, instructional systems development, and ISPI's role in the preparation of…

Introduces a series of six installments on making the transition from a training/instructional design approach to human performance technology (HPT). The first installment topics include defining human performance technology; obstacles to effective HPT; and the necessary role characteristics for trainers performing HPT. (AEF)