Learning in the Flow of Work

the decision whether or not the proposed software supports the company goal of increasing learning in
the flow of work. Today, the workforce has many learning needs that must be responded to without pre-planning, and
adjustment times are quick. In the early tenure of an employee, or when the work task is new, the
employee will need an ecosystem of learning strategies and products to facilitate learning in the flow of
work. The ecosystem could include micro learning, on the job practice, learner developed videos,
coaching, or other modalities. Learning in the flow of work is the process of using different activities
throughout the workday to learn new skills to respond to task demands (Bersin, 2018). There are thousands of technology-based learning platforms and vast amounts of content in many
different formats. One way in which organizations can be successful in selecting the effective learning
processes is by using different theories of learning and applying critical success factors (CSFs) when
selecting mechanisms of learning. Theories of adult learning include: andragogy, which exploits a
learner’s past experiences (Arghode, 2017); transformational learning, which makes connections
between ideas and concepts (Yukawa, 2015), and experiential learning that connects meaning to reality
(Human Resource Management International Digest, <em”>2016). Critical success factors can be used to determine best practices for the selection of learning platforms.
CSFs provide facilitators to overcome internal organizational political and social barriers to learning
(Bizcommunity.com, 2019). CSFs that focus on process:
• Align to goals and design for impact.
• Work from a foundation of solid methodology.
• Monitor and ask for feedback from the start.
• Integrate learning into the flow of work and ensure application.
• Work cleverly within budget and resource considerations. CSFs that can overcome social and political barriers:
• Have internal champions.
• Choose the right partners.
• Capture interest and attention.
• Make it a successful brand exercise. Not all learning success factors are suited for every situation. Think about which success factors will
support your recommendation in your assessment.

References Satisfying the workers who appreciate galloping change. (2016). Human Resource Management
International Digest, 24(7), 35–37. Bizcommunity.com. (2019). Implementing a learning project: 9 key considerations for success. SyndiGate
Media, Inc. Arghode, V., Brieger, E. W., & McLean, G. N. (2017). Adult learning theories: Implications for online
instruction. European Journal of Training and Development, 41(7), 593–609. Bersin, J. (November 4, 2018). Learning in the flow of work, keynote speech [Video]. Youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niOI9VoS7IY Yukawa, J. (2015). Preparing for Complexity and Wicked Problems through Transformational Learning
Approaches. Journal of Education for Library and Information Science, 56(2), 158–168. HR Challenge Your task is to identify which of the critical success factors and learning theories will be used with the
implementation of new software. Also recommend whether or not the proposed software supports the
company goal of increasing learning in the flow of work. Pick at least three critical success factors and
one of three theories. You work for a customer service organization that serves and tracks vendor needs for materials that are
sold to other companies for resale. The company’s sales representatives give advice and
recommendations based on cost and the buyers’ needs. They have to have a working knowledge of
customer expectations, needs, and the customer companies’ operations. Your organization wants
software that will provide the sales reps with data on items and costs while they are on the phone with
the customer. The company has a tradition of being very cost-conscious and is not usually the first to
buy new technology. The software application that has been proposed for use by the sales representatives has the following
characteristics:
• Database capability for all catalog items plus 500 gigabytes of unused storage.
• Same or similar content layout no matter what device—desktops, tablets, and phones.
• Training modules that can be accessed from the website for the software application, range in
length from 20–30 minutes each.
• Microlearning lessons (3–5 minutes each) accessed from within the application.
• Pop-up help messages within the application with helpful information about many functions.
Can be turned on and off.
• Frequently Asked Questions/Resource documents are searchable within the software for step-
by-step instructions.

• Individualized reporting of application usage, average time per transaction, and training
materials accessed weekly or monthly. As an HR generalist, you also have learning and development responsibilities. To assist in the decision to
purchase software, you have identified the learning tools included with the software as well as some
general sales-related learning needs of the sales representatives who will be expected to begin using the
system as soon as it is installed. Instructions Write a 3–4 page internal memo that will be presented to the company leadership team as they make
the decision whether or not the proposed software supports the company goal of increasing learning in
the flow of work. 1. Listen to Josh Bersin’s presentation Learning in the flow of work, keynote speech [Video]. 2. Read the following article:
o Bizcommunity.com. (2019). Implementing a learning project: 9 key considerations for
success. SyndiGate Media Inc. 3. Write an internal memo for leadership about their decision to invest in software at this time.
Include the following in your memo:
o Format the memo using To, From, RE(reason), and a title.
o Explain how the characteristics of the sales software application (listed above) will
facilitate learning in the flow of work.
o Identify which 3–5 of the critical success factors will be met with the implementation of
new software for your company.
o Explain a reason why each critical success factor was selected and how the success
factor will influence the implementation of the new software at your company.
o Identify which of the three learning theories you will use to help sales representatives
learn the software application and why.
o Evaluate and recommend whether or not the proposed software supports the company
goal of increasing learning in the flow of work, including the rationale for your
recommendation, based on the critical success factors you selected. Additional Requirements The deliverable for this assessment applies professional skills in Human Resources Management (HRM)
to workplace situations which you will likely encounter in your day-to-day work in HRM. As part of your
learning, we focus on the development of effective professional communication skills for the workplace.
• Length of paper: Your memorandum should be 3–4 double-spaced pages, including the
resources page.

• Organization: Make sure that your assessment writing is well-organized, using headings and
subheadings to organize content for the reader.
• Font and font-size: Times New Roman, 12-point.
• Number of resources: A minimum of four course resources.
• Evidence: Support your thoughts and ideas with data and in-text citations. Use current APA
format for in-text citations and create a reference list at the end of your documents.
• APA formatting: Resources and in-text citations are formatted according to current APA Style
and Format.
• Written communication:
o Convey purpose, in an appropriate tone and style, incorporating supporting evidence
and adhering to organizational, professional, and scholarly writing standards.
o Write for a specific audience, using the vernacular of the profession.
o Use spell-check and other tools to ensure correct spelling and grammar. Competencies Measured
• Competency 2: Apply theories and models of professional learning.
o Explain how the characteristics of the sales software application will facilitate learning in
the flow of work.
o Identify which 3–5 of the critical success factors will be met with the implementation of
new software.
o Explain a reason why each critical success factor was selected and how the success
factor will influence the implementation of the software.
o Identify which of the three learning theories will be used to help sales representatives
learn the software application and why.
• Competency 3: Evaluate approaches for the design, development, and implementation of
programs which support learning needs in the workplace.
o Evaluate whether or not the proposed software supports the company goal of
increasing learning in the flow of work, including the rationale for the recommendation
based on the critical success factors selected.
• Competency 5: Communicate clearly, accurately, and professionally for the HR field.
o Convey purpose, in an appropriate tone and style, incorporating supporting evidence
and adhering to organizational, professional, and scholarly writing standards.