Building a Learning Strategy with a Maturity Assessment

I often get asked, "How do I talk to our business leaders about the power of learning?" It also sounds like, "How do I get a seat at the table? How do I get people to care about training?"

We know that, as learning leaders, we must align with strategic business goals. Heck, I say that at least a dozen times per week myself. So, we talk the talk, but how do we help our fellow learning leaders walk the walk? How do we invite people to our table?

It's not easy. I've worked everywhere from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies. Sometimes our stakeholders don't understand the value of learning. Sometimes organizations are operationally or politically complex. Sometimes there is no corporate strategy to align with. Sometimes we have no historical data. Sometimes being in order-taking mode feels good enough. Sometimes it feels like you can't be strategic because you're barely surviving.

I promised to get tactical here. When I consult with a new learning organization, I always start with the same thing, a maturity assessment. This assessment is a reflective and data collection exercise to identify how aligned and proactive you are to the businesses you support. It is a set of surveys and activities that your organization will participate in. It sets the stage for using data and feedback to know unequivocally where you stand and build your strategic roadmap for the future. There are several models you can reference - Tagoras (made for customer education but can be easily adapted), and High Impact Learning Organizations (designed by Bersin), among others.

Even with an established learning team, a maturity assessment is worth the effort. Why?

1. Knowing where you stand helps you determine where you want to go. Establishing a clear starting point will be critical in building an aligned learning roadmap.
2. In the early stages, tangible data might be scarce. A maturity assessment fills this gap, offering concrete data that supports discussions on the value and impact of learning within the organization. It's about turning abstract concepts into measurable outcomes.
3. The assessment reveals how learning is perceived across the organization. This knowledge allows you to address misconceptions and align perceptions with the strategic importance of learning and development.
4. Determining who supports and who doubts learning initiatives is crucial. This insight enables you to engage with advocates to strengthen your position and address the concerns of detractors, paving the way for a more cohesive learning strategy.

Strategic alignment is hard work! But it's also worth the reward. Hearing feedback from your learners about how programs and opportunities have made a real impact on their lives is amazing! Seeing those KPIs turn around is incredible! Witnessing the buildup of the community among the learning team, department leaders, and frontline advocates, taking the programs to a level that blows your mind—there's nothing like it. You'll make mistakes. You'll fall. But every time, the outcome has been worth the reward.

Embarking on a maturity assessment is a pivotal first step towards elevating your learning and development (L&D) strategy from good to great. Whether you opt to leverage established frameworks like Bersin or Tagoras to perform your assessment, the key is to initiate this reflective and data-driven process. It provides the clarity and direction needed to align your L&D initiatives with the strategic goals of your organization effectively.

Interested in working together?

If you're seeking a more tailored approach or need guidance navigating this process, consider partnering with me as a strategic advisor who can bring a wealth of experience and a proven model to the table. As someone who has navigated the complexities of L&D across various organizational landscapes, I offer a bespoke model that has been honed through years of practical application and success.

For those who are ready to take their L&D strategy to the next level and ensure it becomes a cornerstone of their organization's success, I invite you to a free 30-minute consult with Learning4Leverage. Together, we can craft a learning strategy that not only meets the current needs of your organization but also positions you for future growth and innovation.