What's your secret to managing training program resources?

1 Identify your resource needs

The first step to managing your training program resources is to identify what you need and how much you need. This means conducting a thorough training needs analysis (TNA) to determine the goals, objectives, content, and methods of your training program. Based on your TNA, you can estimate the resources required for each stage of the training cycle, such as design, development, delivery, and evaluation. You can also consider the availability, accessibility, and quality of your existing resources and identify any gaps or constraints that you need to address.

2 Budget your resource allocation

The next step to managing your training program resources is to budget how you will allocate them. This means setting priorities, limits, and criteria for your resource distribution. You need to consider the costs and benefits of each resource and how they align with your training goals and objectives. You also need to balance the needs and expectations of your stakeholders, such as learners, managers, sponsors, and partners. You can use various tools and techniques to help you budget your resource allocation, such as spreadsheets, charts, graphs, or software.

3 Monitor your resource utilization

The third step to managing your training program resources is to monitor how you use them. This means tracking, measuring, and reporting on your resource consumption and performance. You need to collect and analyze data on your resource inputs, outputs, and outcomes, such as time spent, money spent, materials used, or people involved. You also need to compare your actual resource utilization with your planned resource allocation and identify any variances or deviations. You can use various tools and techniques to help you monitor your resource utilization, such as logs, surveys, feedback, or dashboards.

4 Adjust your resource management

The fourth step to managing your training program resources is to adjust your resource management. This means reviewing, evaluating, and improving your resource planning, allocation, and monitoring processes. You need to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of your resource management and how it impacts your training quality and results. You also need to identify any opportunities or challenges that require you to modify or adapt your resource management. You can use various tools and techniques to help you adjust your resource management, such as SWOT analysis, PDCA cycle, or action plans.

5 Learn from your resource experience

The fifth step to managing your training program resources is to learn from your resource experience. This means reflecting, sharing, and applying the lessons learned from your resource management. You need to recognize the strengths and weaknesses of your resource management and how they influence your training performance and satisfaction. You also need to share your best practices and tips with other TTT professionals and learn from their resource management experiences. You can use various tools and techniques to help you learn from your resource experience, such as journals, blogs, podcasts, or webinars.

6 Develop your resource skills

The sixth and final step to managing your training program resources is to develop your resource skills. This means enhancing, updating, and expanding your knowledge and abilities in resource management. You need to keep up with the latest trends and innovations in resource management and how they affect your training industry and context. You also need to seek feedback, coaching, and mentoring from other TTT experts and mentors and participate in continuous learning and professional development activities. You can use various tools and techniques to help you develop your resource skills, such as courses, books, articles, or certificates.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?