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The time-cost-quality triangle: simple needs analysis can help you save big.

Article Excerpt
Are you being called upon to train more people faster, in more places, with shorter notice, and fewer resources? The 2003 ASTD report "Training for the Next Economy" cautions that pattern is likely to continue. Even in companies where training investments haven't been increased, return-on-investment expectations are growing rapidly. Short of you learning magic or making miracles, in the time-cost-quality triangle, something has got to give.

The good news is that you can identify time- and money-saving options while still delivering high-quality training by thinking of the standard training needs analysis in a new way. Ask why, who, what, when, where, and how before investing any time or money.

To train or not to train?

Who would have thought of needs analysis as a cost-saving tool? Yet, the Institute of Management and Administration (IOMA) cites "training needs assessment" as one of the most successful cost-control ideas given by respondents to the "2003 Training Management and Cost Control Questionnaire."

The next time a department head approaches you to create a class, combat your trainer's instinct to immediately say, "OK!" Instead, put on a performance consultant's hat, and question that department...