SCHEDULING AN HRD PROGRAM

The task of scheduling a training or other HRD program may seem relatively straightforward when compared to other decisions made by a trainer, but this is definitely not the case. Organizations can be busy, hectic, and unpredictable environments, making scheduling HRD and other activities very difficult. The goal in scheduling an HRD program is to ensure that the participants (both trainer(s) and learners) are available and have their attention focused on the learning task at hand. In this section, we discuss some of the issues HRD professionals should consider when scheduling programs. Our discus- sion applies to scheduling programs that require participants be in attendance at the time the program is delivered. In contrast, one of the main advantages of individually-oriented delivery methods, such as CD-ROM or self-paced instruction, is that such approaches can be done whenever the participants have the time to do them.

Scheduling during Work Hours One popular option for program scheduling is running the program during normal working hours. This both avoids outside conflicts (such as commuting, family, and personal obligations) and sends a message to employees that learning is an impor- tant part of their job. When scheduling a program during normal work hours, the HRD professional should consider factors such as the day of the week, time of day, peak work hours, staff meeting times, and travel requirements.