About TeamOJT

What is TeamOJT?

TeamOJT (formerly known as TATS) is a team-driven model for developing structured OJT programs. While other methods of OJT rely on only one or two subject matter experts, TeamOJT empowers all employees to work together to determine training needs and agree on the best way to perform their jobs. They design, develop, implement, and evaluate the training. Employees participate as members of design teams, approval teams, design team facilitators, OJT trainers, administrators, and in-house advocates.

Unlike most on-the-job training, TeamOJT is based on sound theories and principles of adult learning, instructional systems design, and cognitive and social psychology. It is a multi-faceted approach to improving performance--a systematic, comprehensive and integrated response to both training and non-training performance problems and opportunities. Because of the interactive nature of teams, it serves as an intervention for all types of human performance issues such as communication, team building, decision-making, conflict resolution, workload management, and cross-organizational conflicts and constraints.

The unique team-driven approach is a new way of structuring OJT. And it works! The strengths of the system that have repeatedly caught the attention and passion of people are employee ownership, simplicity, and the freedom and flexibility it gives to organizations to add their own flair and uniqueness.

TeamOJT has been thoroughly tested and validated at some of the world's largest and most successful companies and has evolved through fifteen years of use by client organizations. The generic model can be applied to any job in any organization and can be implemented by a single work group or company-wide.

You can read about the early development and implementations of TeamOJT at The Boeing Company on page three of this article [PDF].

The TeamOJT Model

The TeamOJT model is an eight-step process that follows sound instructional design principles. Skill, knowledge, and attitude - the three necessary factors for any successful training system - are blended together by three interacting components - team job task analysis, job instruction training, and the human factors principles of communication, decision-making, team building, conflict resolution and workload management. Together, these components create a unique process and lay the foundation for all eight steps.

Major elements of the model include:

Needs identification
Writing and verifying training procedures
Sequencing of training
Employing tracking mechanisms
Establishing a maintenance plan

Outlining targeted jobs
Setting up an approval system
Implementing
Evaluating
Developing continuous improvement teams

The Eight-Step Process

Diagram of the Eight Step Process

The model has been easily incorporated into e-learning formats - intranets, distance learning, electronic performance support systems, virtual teams, etc. Companies that have geographically dispersed employees are able to provide them access to identical, standardized learning opportunities.

Why a Team-Driven Approach to On-the-Job Training?

Competency is no longer defined in terms of just individual capabilities, but also includes the ability to function effectively with others as part of a team. Employees need to communicate to a greater extent than in the past and employee cooperation and contribution is essential. Employees must be willing to share information and learn from each other. Together, they examine, criticize and restructure the work itself. Well-functioning teams are now and will continue to be an essential ingredient for survival in today's business climate.

In addition to saving valuable time and money, the team-driven approach:

Involves and empowers employees
Improves communication
Improves decision-making
Reduces conflict
Improves teamwork
Improves attitude and morale
Creates a true workplace learning environment
Addresses tasks that require team coordination
Creates the capability for future problem solving
Ensures employee buy-in to processes and procedures
Improves employee job satisfaction
Shortens development time by spreading a lot of work over several people
Improves workload management

One fundamental assumption underlies the premise of the team-driven approach - that people have the capacity to address and deal with any problem when given the time, encouragement and freedom to do so. Organizations must create the opportunity for people to work together to solve their mutual problems and achieve common goals. Organizations and the people in them depend on high performance teams in order to survive.

Human Performance Applications
Phone: (206) 447-0860
FAX: (206) 447-3410
E-mail: diane@teamojt.com