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Performance Improvement Terms

(Root) Cause Analysis

Finding out the true cause of a problem or performance gap.

 

Environmental Interventions

Adjustments made within the work environment, either by eliminating barriers that prevent performance or increasing support mechanisms for obtaining and enhancing desired accomplishments. Examples include: providing tools and equipment to do a job, creating standards and policies to guide performance and strengthening a deployment system.

 

Experiential Learning

An approach to learning that actively involves participants and applies the use of new skills through a variety of instructional methods (e.g., case studies and role plays).

 

Feedback Systems

Means of communication whereby individuals receive information about their progress in mastering a skill or activity or achieving their learning objectives.

 

Group-Based Learning

A learning method in which a group of participants receives training from one or more trainers.

 

Human Performance Technology (HPT)

See Performance Technology.

 

Incentives/Consequences/Motivation Interventions

Rewards for performance, consequences for lack of performance and perceived value of the work being undertaken. Examples include: pay for performance, recognition for superior performance and establishment of supportive supervisory systems to build confidence.

 

Intervention

An activity, process, event or system that is designed to correct a problem or change a situation and improve performance.

 

Learning Interventions

A range of actions or events designed to help people acquire new skills and knowledge.

 

Needs Assessment

A data collection effort during which the status of a program, institution, faculty and/or services is assessed and the need for an intervention (e.g., training courses) is established and documented.

 

Non-Learning Interventions

Interventions that encompass actions and items not related to learning but still geared toward performance improvement. They can enhance the effectiveness of learning interventions.

 

On-the-Job Training

A form of self-paced, structured learning that allows the individual requiring training to acquire the necessary knowledge and develop the required skills while on the job.

 

Performance Analysis

A process of determining the gaps between desired performance (what people should be doing) and actual performance (what people actually are doing).

 

Performance Consulting

The service or practice of providing advice, leadership, support and direction to the performance improvement process.

 

Performance Improvement

A process for achieving desired institutional and individual results. The goal of performance improvement is the provision of high quality, sustainable health services. Results are achieved through a process that considers the institutional context, describes desired performance, identifies gaps between desired and actual performance, identifies root causes, selects interventions to close the gaps and measures changes in performance.

 

Performance Improvement Process

See Performance Improvement.

 

Performance Technology

The process and tools used to solve human performance problems or to realize performance improvement opportunities.

 

Quality

Doing the right thing right, right away.

 

Self-Paced Learning

A method in which learners progress through the instruction based on their individual learning capabilities. Self-paced learning occurs in structured OJT and computer-assisted learning.

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