Describes performance alignment--ensuring that all things work together in an organization to achieve its external goals--as the ultimate goal of the human performance technologist's profession. Discusses the three areas where performance is in business, three dimensions of performance alignment, and how to achieve performance alignment. (AEF)

Describes the development of multimedia applications designed for disseminating technical information to technicians and service engineers; these applications were developed within the Interactive Manuals project, sponsored by the Swedish National Board for Industrial and Technical Development. (AEF)

Discusses how human performance technology can help new Internet companies. Highlights include major business goals; using a systems approach to look for gaps in the organization itself, personnel, behavior, performance, feedback, communication, and internal inefficiencies; compensation structures; recruiting; training; rewarding performance; and…

Discusses the importance of needs assessment and analysis in performance technology and describes an effort to introduce graduate students to analysis at San Diego State University. Highlights include instructional strategies; the use of technology in a distance course via the Internet; and difficulties that novices have with analysis. (LRW)

Compares instructional methods used in interpersonal skills training courses delivered online to the methods used in similar courses delivered in a traditional instructor-led classroom. Discusses implications for performance improvement professionals who are responsible for selecting and designing interpersonal skills training interventions.…

A study of 10 Korean human resource practitioners who were trained in performance improvement technology showed they achieved better transfer in the conceptual than the technical domain. Transfer increased when trainees set goals to apply learning and the job, received work assignments related to the training, and had supervisor support. (Contains…

Reviews and evaluates representative models of performance from multiple disciplines. Presents an integrated taxonomy of performance domains and clarifies performance outcomes and performance metrics. Proposes a research agenda related to performance domains. (AEF)

Human performance technologists add value by making systematically important connections. After illustrating the connections made in various professions and organizations, this article discusses the importance, purpose, history and process of making connections. (AEF)

The Web Resource Collaboration Center (WRCC) is a web-based tool developed to help software engineers build their own web-based learning and performance support systems. Designed using various online communication and collaboration technologies, the WRCC enables people to: (1) build a learning and professional development resource that provides…

Learning object technology is viewed as a method for fast retrieval. This effort is on developing unique schemas for a targeted group to aid efficient retrieval. In this article, I study a user-centric model for developing tags for K-12 educators that is based on user needs, expectations, and problems. I use a combination of techniques from human…

Electronic performance support systems (EPSS) deliver relevant support information to users while they are performing tasks. The present study examined the effect of different types of EPSS on user performance, attitudes, system use and time on task. Employees at a manufacturing company were asked to complete a procedural software task and…

This study reports on an approach for assessing managerial development needs. The approach uses multi-methods such as qualitative career plots, critical incidents, a skill rating form, and surveys to identify the critical managerial development needs for a target managerial position. In addition, it uses multi-subject groups in an effort to…

Both principals and school districts hire literacy coaches with the clear hope that they will succeed in improving teachers' instruction and, in turn, students' literacy learning. Unintentionally, however, they can overlook putting into place supports that coaches themselves may need to reach these goals. This Literacy Coaching Clearinghouse brief…

The University of Chicago's Joseph Regenstein Library Bookstacks Department has used process mapping and continuous improvement to successfully improve its overall operations. The most recent efforts focus on Lean manufacturing, an initiative centered on eliminating waste in manufacturing processes. The conversion of the Bookstacks Department from…

Teacher educators have a dual responsibility. They must not only deliver the content of their courses but also model the pedagogical beliefs and instructional strategies they espouse. Perhaps no area more explicitly demonstrates the difference between "talking the talk" and "walking the walk" than the integration of technology into teacher…