Updated 2/16/2021. Originally published 12/10/2014.

Why do we need a map?

Why do we need a roadmap for designing, developing, or delivering learning events?

Definition of map: a diagrammatic representation of an area of land or sea showing physical features, cities, roads, etc.

Synonym for the word map:   a plan

Do we need a plan or a roadmap of the path we plan to take?

If we have already decided on the destination, is it necessary to have the pathway defined?  Possibly – yes. 

Do I recommend having a plan (an agenda or topic outline)  in the workplace training class? Yes, absolutely!

Pitstops and Detours

In my experience, each training seminar, workshop, conference, course or presentation is different.  No two happen are alike. 

The content may be the same, but the environment, the technology, the audience, and the materials simmer together to make a unique event session. 

“If the student fails to learn, the teacher fails to teach.” – Anonymous

As if that were not enough reason to plan ahead, or to map out the route to a successful learning event, one only needs to recall the possible pitstops, the interesting side roads, and the encounter of a workshop/seminar roadblock or two.

  • Do we have enough time to take every pitstop or explore every side road and unpaved road off the main trail?  
  • Do we have an alternate route in case of roadblocks and extended delays?
  • How will the class be delivered successfully to the audience in the event of a problem?
  •  What topics on the agenda do we plan to deliver? 
  • Which topics can easily be shortened in the interest of time and still ensure that knowledge has been transferred? 

Having a map (roadmap) for the learning is like having a disaster recovery plan for your laptop in the event of damage. (Remember that coffee spill on the keyboard last year?)

Is It Necessary

For the novice trainer or presenter, it may seem unnecessary to plan ahead for the unexpected in the classroom or speaking engagement. 

The experienced trainer or presenter has a treasure trove of stories recalling escalating classroom disasters, unexpected VIP observers, equipment failures and extended side conversations that can occur in any given course.  

However, some trainers manage to stay on track, complete the learning on time, engage the audience, and whose participants seem to produce the desired skills growth. 

Many professional, skilled corporate trainers manage the session’s success by creating a workshop plan of action – a course session roadmap.  This event roadmap anticipates and addresses the side roads and the pitstops.  

14th Floor

 In one recent experience, during an eight-hour training class in New York City, conducting a class on policies and procedures, we had an unexpected and unplanned fire emergency – a true emergency, not a drill. 

During the evacuation, everyone was instructed to leave everything in the classroom and exit immediately down the stairwells. At the end of the street we met, we counted heads to verify everyone had successfully evacuated. 

Unfortunately, the damage was extensive, and we were not allowed to return to the building that afternoon. Given the lateness of the afternoon, we dismissed the class.

However, the dismissal of class caused an issue. The male attendees of the class had their wallets and keys in their pockets and could easily depart for the day.

Not so fast for women.

It seemed that several of the women attendees had followed instructions and left all their belongings in the 14th-floor classroom, including their purses containing identification, hotel room keys, money, and credit cards.

The Impact: Several female attendees had to make alternate travel arrangements for the evening until we were able to access the classroom the next day.

Accordingly, all subsequent classes have included a brief statement regarding emergency evacuation plans, specifically defining what to grab upon departure.

This single enhancement to my personalized “training class roadmap” has served me well in several subsequent emergencies within the training room.

Roadmap and Questions

Even with the class roadmap, the experienced instructor has learned how to read the roadside signage – to actively assess the temperature of the audience, listening and observing the body language.  

The experienced trainer will proactively question the audience regarding their individual expectations and prior knowledge to gauge existing skill sets.  This knowledge allows the trainer to proactively reset expectations if needed and pivot the agenda topics if necessary.  

In addition to the roadmap, other valuable tools include the “frequently asked questions” (FAQs).  If the FAQs are available, experienced instructors review the FAQs prior to starting the class.

Lessons Learned

Another valuable “roadmap” in the workplace training environment is the “lessons learned” database. Ideally, the “lessons learned” documentation includes details regarding the challenges, disasters, successes in previous learning, with details regarding how each was managed.

As tools in the hands of a replacement trainer unfamiliar with the content, these resources enable the instructor to pivot quickly to changing conditions or to maintain control of a classroom environment and while continuing to ensure that knowledge transfer and professional development can occur.

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