Minimum Viable Training
Recently we were discussing minimum viable products (MVPs) as they relate to user testing and how important it is to get a viable version in front of actual users early enough in the process.
But what if our goal for our learning solutions was to create minimum viable training — and nothing more? What would that look like?
I realize some of you might feel like you’re currently doing that due to reduced resources and increased demand. But are you doing it intentionally and confidently, and with a strategy?
Photo by Edgar Chaparro on Unsplash
What’s different about minimum viable training (MVT)?
It’s informed by the target audience’s actual problems. You need two people: 1) a current member of your target audience and 2) someone who just moved out of that phase. Both people will keep you grounded in the reality of what the critical 911 problems are and when you’ve crossed the line into too much training.
MVT includes much less info: Think more of a collection of essential resources and less of a “course.” Leave out the connective tissue that takes up so much time and space in training. No one will miss it.
It contains much less media: Not everything has to be taught through video. Be selective. Choose the place where video is really the only solution (e.g., to show vs. tell). Even then, consider if some photos could work. Your learners don’t need a talking head to read something to them that they can read more quickly themselves. And your training doesn’t need audio.
Why is MVT better?
Now you’ve got real micro-learning! People will actually remember what you’re presenting. When your content is reduced and everything is important, your takeaways are crystal clear. The training is more memorable. It might even be something they’ll pull up for reference in the future.
Ultimately, you can push out more training. Make sure it’s on critical topics and following the same MVT parameters of course. Your design process is simpler. Your development process is much shorter. Your budget goes farther. So get out there on the front lines with your learners and figure out what problems they’re facing that you can solve.
Your team may be ready for a change anyway. This is a chance for them to flex their creativity and try new things they haven’t been able to. It can also be a relief to let the past go and rethink what learning looks like moving forward. This can be a good chance to forge new partnerships with the business and build trust with learners.
This is the direction we should be heading — lightweight training that gets the job done but is quick to design and develop so we can keep pace with the business. Try out our MVT approach and let us know your results!
What we’re reading: Usability Testing 101, Nielsen Norman Group