Discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of various approaches to needs assessment is followed by a description of the five phases of the flexible composite needs assessment approach, START (Systematic Technique for Assessing Resources and Training/Development) for developing training programs within various types of organizations. (EAO)

Examines certain common professional characteristics that unite instructional developers across a variety of settings, and addresses the question as to whether a strong case can be made for providing developers with a common approach to their training. (Author/MER)

Describes an adaptation of the Component Display Theory to a corporate training setting where the principal developmental effort was done by content experts. An overview of the Component Display Theory is included with a case study illustrating the application process. Examples of the resultant training products are included. (MBR)

Explains the changes in graduate business education as they relate to human resource development (HRD) and suggests that the HRD specialist can achieve professional growth through accounting, finance, economics, marketing, statistics, management theory training, and practical internships. (MER)

Suggests that academic programs need to further demonstrate that graduate courses and job experience can supplement each other in career development by specifying the applicable cognitive and psychomotor skills that can be developed and developing a closer relationship with the employment community. (Author)

This discussion of methods of selecting and training present and future staff in business and industry emphasizes importance of the incorporation of senior management's goals and objectives into the process. An example of a Functional Skills Rating Form for use in interviewing is included. (LRW)

Describes Merrill's content performance matrix in terms of content (facts, concepts, processes, procedures, and principles); levels of performance (recall and applying content in job-like context); and instructional methods that support each task on the matrix (information displays and practice exercises). (MBR)

Discusses three task analysis techniques utilized at the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station to review training programs: analysis of (1) job positions, (2) procedures, and (3) instructional presentations. All of these include task breakdown, relationship determination, and task restructuring. (MBR)

Discusses tasks, resources, and feedback, the three basic elements in the architecture of learning systems; analyzes these elements in relation to on-the-job learning; and discusses interventions to improve these processes and provide a positive contribution to the productivity of the organization by helping people learn. (MBR)

Describes a systematic approach to training needs identification that is directly tied to changing organizational events and performance requirements. The discussion includes nine questions which address performance expectations. (JJD)

Discusses the need to develop ways of measuring the cost effectiveness of investment in employee training. Examples of employees with various training needs and their possible impact on the organization are presented, the replacement of humans with machine intelligence is discussed, and the application of performance technology is suggested. (LRW)

Provides worksheet that can be used to calculate the costs of a complete training intervention, a needs assessment, an evaluation of a specific program, media production, or job aids. Developed in response to the General Motors Great Job Aid Contest, this aid includes a glossary of terms. (LRW)

Describes a longitudinal project in which organizational behavior management (OBM) procedures have been applied to improve performance of plant employees, increase sales of contract furniture, accelerate response time to customer inquiries, increase orders processed, and reduce processing errors at Krueger, a contract and institutional furniture…

The method for modifying existing training courses for international students that is described includes conducting audience and needs analysis; matching audience needs to existing course objectives; and material modification. Specific modifications helpful in redesigning course materials are discussed. (MBR)

Describes instructional development process applied to the design, production, implementation, and evaluation of a computer simulation designed to provide troubleshooting practice for individuals who maintain and install large digital telephone switches. The major organizational benefits resulting from use of the simulation are discussed. (MBR)