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In my PACT Processes I have 3 major Deployment Platforms – your views/language may vary:

1. Group-Paced
2. Self-Paced
3. Coached

Deployment via Coached 

And in the Deployments via a Coached means (mode/media) there is always a choice – a conscious business decision – as to whether or not “any old coach will do” or will it need to be deployed/delivered via a “Certified Coach” due to the nature of the performance complexity, risks and rewards or some other issue that raises that bar.

What you provide to The Coach and to The Learner/Performer depends – as always – in what’s feasible/practical.

Do they both get their “stuff” via their iPads, or their BlackBerries, or 3-ring binders, or saddle-stitched pamphlets, laminated Job Aids delivered by snail or other mail/UPS, or by printing off paper copies from their computer desktops/laptops from a Wiki – or what??

I always let the Master Performers decide those kinds of things. They know what is practical/feasible – or they argue it out when there are many roads to that Rome – and it’s somewhat of an arbitrary decision. Arbitray perhaps – but it still needs to be decided.

But there are times when that’s too Formal.

Deployment via Informal Coached

In this case the name of the box on the Path is deemed sufficient.

The box on the Path represents a modular Event if it is a Gap (and UN-S-OJT is by definition a Gap) – with Event Specs (Specifications) and Module Specifications. Two Levels of Design under the Path level in a CAD – Curriculum Architecture Design effort.

The boxes on this Path below are Gaps if there is no red dot – or that dot is partial (half a dot).

The client either had content already that was usable after modification (partial red dot) – or didn’t have anything (no red dot). The Path is a Visual Control item – or a Marketing Poster.

I’ve been embracing Informal Learning since the early 1980s – before it was called that. I called it U-S-OJT.

I’ve also been embracing the use of many blends for deployment – those that were appropriate for “what was to be learned/mastered for terminal performance’s sake” – and what was practical/feasible – which is just one of the many roles/responsibilities of the Master Performers being facilitated in both the Analysis and Design methods and processes of PACT.

Here is an 11 minute Video produced by a CAD client in the 1980s – the first Event on their Path – that “splained” the Learning Continuum to them. Even though this video is Old – I find that it is still quite “innovative” – and not many do this kind of “Advanced Organizer” for their key learners – and make no mistake – this was one of THE critical Target Audiences in this Enterprise.

Here is their Path.

That version of the Path – was after the 1st of 2 updates I did for this client after doing the original CAD effort in 1986.

For more about these methods – see my 6-Pack of paperback and Kindle books.

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Avoid that nightmare.

Learn the Language of Business

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Not an Artisan Approach.

The Video

The Video is 25:32 minutes in length

Paths – Events – Modules/Lessons – Instructional Activities

Like Russian Dolls – there are levels within levels of Design in the PACT Processes.

Just as there are levels in the architectural design of a house or building.

For More

I’ve been doing and teaching and publishing and presenting on performance-based CAD – Curriculum Architecture Design – since 1982.

See this site page – All Things PACT and CAD – here.

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The post with this rant, I mean, Commentary that Ray is referring to – may be found here.

Fight the Foo Foo!

Especially on #MondayMythsBusting

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From my 1999 Fall Newsletter – here. Page 16.

And Why PACT?

It was my attempt to suggest – and do – a collaborative effort – with my clients. But I didn’t want the “C” in PACT to represent Collaborative or Collaboration – as that wasn’t as strong of a connotation.

I wanted the Processes to be driven by the Customers and their other Stakeholders.

And Why The PACT Processes?

Why Processes – and not Methods? As in ISD or ID Methods?

Well, everyone had methods, and tools and techniques. But few had them in a replicable Process.

As one colleague said in the mid-1990s -

Guy “has reduced to practice” all of the theories, concepts. models, methods tools and techniques of Instructional Design.

That is similar to what Miki Lane wrote about the Process/Methods and the book – lean-ISD 1999…

And the late Geary Rummler wrote this…

The intent of The PACT Process was to establish an “engineering approach” to Instructional Product development – for the entire “Product Line” for a Target Audience (as visually represented by the T&D or Learning Path.

And for the engineering of a Product – or Event or Module or Course or Job Aid – a distinct deliverable of performance-based/performance impacting Instruction and/or Information.

And for the entire collection of Events (Products) and their modular components – called Modules and Lessons – as Modules from a CAD effort become Lessons in an MCD effort – for an Enterprise – housed in a ECA – Enterprise Content Architecture – in the 5 Tier Inventory Structure. Think: Parts inventory for a CAD-CAM system (Computer Aided Design – Computer Aided Manufacturing system/tool).

PACT is all about architected/engineered content – of any/many blends – for the purposes of learning and performance support.

Once a CAD effort establishes the Path – and the modular Event Specs and Module Specs for all gaps in the Path (think Books and Chapters when thinking about Events and Modules) – your clients and stakeholders can better assess the value in closing those gaps with Formal Instruction/Information – for us before and/or during the moment of need.

Or leave them to Un-Structured On-the-Job means – today known as Informal Learning. When there are bigger fish to fry.

In PACT – ROI is calculated or estimated BEFORE an nickles or dimes are invested – not just after the fact in some inappropriate and inaccurate attempt to prove the value after the fact. Too late – and never accurate enough. ROI – BTW – was invented by DuPont in the 1920s to compare alternative investment opportunities when they couldn’t address them all.

Which is the case for all T&D/L&D organizations – your shareholders cannot afford every Learning Solution you can shake a stick at.

Lean ISD is lean because it uses teams collaborative to go FAST – and the best of both craft and mass production techniques – adapted to Instruction.

Lean-ISD published in 1999 – was updated and reconfigured in 2011

For more about these books – available as both paperbacks and Kindles – please go here.

For fixed fee quotes – or budgetary quotes – connect with me and lets discuss your opportunities to:

Invest in Instruction for Performance Improvements – not for the sake of Learning – but for the sake of the Enterprise. 

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It would seem that a Myth Busting Bandwagon has begun across many Entities in the L&D Space. About time! Carry on.

Jane Bozarth replied: the presentation mashing up learning styles with generations may have been the last straw for many.

I hope so. But I doubt it.

And I’m pretty sure that Jane doubts it too – that we’ll see the death of Myths in our Profession.

There’s just too much $$$ to be made.

As P.T. Barnum put it:

“There’s a sucker born every minute” 

Which is why Straw makers and Foo Foo Sales people have it made in the shade!

When will it ever end, when will it ever end?

GWW: If you know the well-established “myths” of the Learning profession, you can avoid headaches down the road.

elearnmag.acm.org/archive

Please support and encourage the online and offline groups and individuals that you see doing battle against the tide of Myths despite all evidence to the contrary.

Replace “I think” with “The evidence states” or “according to the research.”

Know enough about the research findings – even if you cannot cite that research

And hang out with Crowds who also get it or know it – or both. That’s Wisdom. On your part.

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Join ISPI’s 50th Anniversary Celebration!

Please go HERE for more information.

I am always thankful for the inspiration and learning that occurs on – EBP – Evidence Based Practices – for Performance Improvement.

Here is a photo of me and some of my friends at the 2011 Conference.

And two more friends – local friends.

And here I got animated (don’t recall why – but it’s all good) with Rick Rummler.

And then two years ago – I got something special.

And the year before that – another formal thank you from my Professional Home.

I think that one above was for going too FAST during the Speed Mentoring Session – or something.

This April I will be at my 31st of the past 33 Conferences.

I hope to see many familiar – and many not so familiar faces there – in Toronto.

Check your Passport – it must be good for 6 months past the day you cross the border!

More information about the 50th Anniversary Conference – may be found here.

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