Joe Willmore - Performance Basics

2016 ASTD DBA the Association for Talent Development (ATD)
All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America.

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Library of Congress Control Number: 2016936133

ISBN-10: 1-60728-163-5
ISBN-13: 978-1-60728-163-4
e-ISBN: 978-1-60728-106-1

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ATDs Training Basics series recognizes and, in some ways, celebrates the fast-paced, ever-changing reality of organizations today. Jobs, roles, and expectations change quickly. One day you might be a network administrator or a process-line manager, and the next day you might be asked to train 50 employees in basic computer skills or to instruct line workers in quality processes.

Where do you turn for help? The ATD Training Basics series is designed to be your one-stop solution. The series takes a minimalist approach to your learning curve dilemma and presents only the information you need to be successful. Each book in the series guides you through key aspects of training: giving presentations, making the transition to the role of trainer, designing and delivering training, and evaluating training. The books in the series also include some advanced skills, such as performance and basic business proficiencies.

The ATD Training Basics series is the perfect tool for training and performance professionals looking for easy-to-understand materials that will prepare nontrainers to take on a training role. In addition, this series is the consummate reference tool for any trainers bookshelf and a quick way to hone your existing skills.

When a new edition of a book is published, its natural to ask whats different about it. What does this edition have that the prior edition didnt? For starters, I have more than a decade of additional experience with a range of new clients from around the globe. So I have some new insights and stories to share regarding performance. As a result, Ive added more practical examples involving my personal experience with performance work. But the second edition includes more than just stories about my experience.

Specifically, there are content areas in the book that have undergone some big changes. The section on analysis was originally written before the ATD Analysis DNA tools had been fully developed, so that section has a lot of new content, including comments and examples involving some of the DNA tools ATD uses in its Human Performance Improvement (HPI) Certificate Program. There have also been many changes in root cause analysis, so the update includes comments on influence. During the past decade or so, ATD has changed substantially, and the HPI program has changed with it. For instance, when the first edition was written, there was no Master Performance Consultant Program. This edition reflects those changes and has been intentionally written to be consistent with and complementary to the ATD HPI and Master Performance Consultant Programs. Thats important because this book was originally written to be a resource for those thinking about taking the HPI program or individuals who wanted a refresher between classes or after they received their HPI certificate. This edition has been adapted to keep pace with the changes in those programs, so that the book can still be used as a resource.

Since the publication of the first edition, a number of excellent performance books have been published, which are included in the references and additional resources sections. And finally, Ive sought to add more tools and specific examples to this book to help illustrate some of the concepts and principles within the content.

Whether you call it HPI, HPT, or performance consulting, the approach in this book provides a proven method to get better results and generate organizational improvement. With organizations placing greater emphasis on results and accountability, having knowledge of performance is critical. Youll find this book to be a useful tool.

Youve probably heard from managers or peers (or by reading ATD research reports on trends in the industry) that the argument to focus on performance is strong and pervasive. Simply put, organizations throughout the world are focusing on results. Trainers are being held accountable by managers for organizational results. They must be able to show their value on the organizations bottom line. The emphasis on performance is not going away any time soon. So if youre trying to find more information about performance improvement, how it applies to you, and how you can start applying it to your work, this book is for you.

Performance Basics is specifically written for people who have little or no formal background in performance consulting, are just getting started in the field, or need to find more information about what it involves. There is little emphasis on theory, models, or historical background. The focus is on the practical application of performance improvement. Additionally, this book is designed to be consistent in approach, terminology, and content with ATDs HPI Certificate Program.

, The Big Picture: Why Focus on Performance Improvement? shows you why performance is important and how to get started in performance consulting.

, What Is Performance Consulting? defines performance consulting and shows how its different from training, organization development, facilitation, and quality improvement. You will also discover the types of competencies and skills valuable to performance consultants.

, Human Performance Improvement Is Business Focused, explains front-end analysis and defines the term business focus in terms of performance. It also shows you how to be a more effective performance consultant through partnering.

, Performance Consulting Focuses on Accomplishments, shares how to distinguish between accomplishments and behaviors and use accomplishments to assess performance gaps.