Performance support tools are invaluable resources designed to enhance employee efficiency by providing just-in-time assistance. In today's dynamic work environment where constant adaptability is key, these tools bridge the gap between formal training and on-the-job application.
In a fast-paced and ever-evolving work environment, employees are expected to constantly adapt and learn new skills to stay competitive in the market. Formal lengthy training sessions and extensive materials may not always be the most efficient or effective way to support employee performance. This is where performance support tools (PSTs) come into play. Performance support tools or job aids are invaluable resources designed to provide just-in-time assistance to employees, helping them perform tasks more efficiently and effectively.
To implement performance support tools effectively, organizations should consider the specific needs of their employees, the nature of their work, and the technology available to them. Also, performance support tools should be maintained properly and updated regularly to ensure they remain relevant and useful in improving employee productivity.
In this article, we'll explore what performance support tools are, the benefits they offer to both employees and organizations, and how performance support tools can enhance employee productivity.
Performance support tools or job aids are accessible resources—digital or otherwise—that offer prompt assistance for specific tasks or skills. These tools are designed to be user-friendly and easily accessible, providing targeted information or guidance in a timely manner. Performance support tools aim to bridge the gap between formal training and real-world application by offering just-in-time support.
Performance support tools offer benefits for both employees and organizations.
Performance support tools can be designed in a wide variety of formats to meet the specific needs of employees and the tasks they are performing.
Performance support tools can improve the productivity of employees in many ways.
Performance support tools provide just-in-time information and guidance, reducing the need for extensive training. Employees can access the information they need in their work, which ultimately can reduce the time spent on formal training sessions.
PSTs can serve as reference materials that employees can refer to whenever they need a refresher on a specific topic or process. This helps to reinforce learning and improve knowledge retention.
PSTs can contain troubleshooting guides and solutions to common problems. When employees encounter a problem or an issue, they can quickly find solutions, minimizing downtime and disruption in workflow.
PSTs ensure that employees follow standardized processes and procedures consistently, which reduces variability in product delivery and performance. It can further result in higher-quality outcomes.
PSTs can be used to provide additional training or information on specific tasks or skills. Thus, employees continuously improve their knowledge and abilities.
As job roles evolve and new tools or technologies are introduced, PSTs can be updated or created to address these changes. This ensures that employees can adapt to new requirements quickly.
With digital PSTs, employees can access information from various devices and locations. This promotes flexibility and remote work options.
Employees can offload some of their cognitive burden by referring to PSTs for instructions, troubleshooting, or information retrieval. This allows them to focus on the tasks at hand and make fewer errors.
PSTs can boost employee confidence, as employees know they can rely on these resources for guidance and support. This results in improved morale and job satisfaction.
PSTs can reduce the need for extensive classroom training, which can be costly in terms of time and resources. This is beneficial for organizations with a limited training budget.
Some PSTs can include tracking features, allowing employers to monitor how employees use the tools and identify areas where additional support or training may be needed.
PSTs help employees to complete tasks more efficiently, which can lead to time savings. This can be especially valuable in fast-paced industries where time is of the essence.
Performance support tools are valuable resources to enhance employee performance and adapt to the dynamic demands of the modern workplace. By providing just-in-time assistance, these tools empower employees to excel in their roles, reduce training costs, and foster a culture of continuous learning in the organization. As technology continues to evolve, performance support tools will become more accessible and effective, making them an indispensable component of an organization's Learning and Development strategy.
After a few days, you can witness that the use of performance support tools actually enhances the performance of your employees. At Tesseract Learning, we'll discuss your challenges, if any, and work with your team to understand your business needs, learner expectations, and technology environments. If you wish to know how our services, KREDO learning platform, and Prodient.io authoring tool can help your organization in developing effective learning solutions for your employees, contact us or write to us at <suresh@tesseractlearning.com>