Needs Assessment for a Company in the Beverage Industry

The Challenge

Optimizing Training Efficiency

The beverage company’s processing department encountered several critical challenges. Firstly, due to its central role in production, errors were costly and could disrupt downstream operations. Secondly, relying on subject matter experts and supervisors for onboarding strained resources, given their numerous responsibilities and limited time. Thirdly, there was a clear need for structured onboarding processes, digitalized checklists, and certification programs to ensure consistent performance. A comprehensive Needs Assessment further highlighted gaps in training effectiveness and areas for improvement. Additionally, recognizing the value of storytelling in conveying experiential knowledge, especially in troubleshooting scenarios, underscored the necessity for more nuanced training delivery methods. Overall, the company aimed to streamline onboarding, utilize technology for efficient training, and cultivate a culture of continuous learning and improvement within its processing department.

The Solution

Initially focused on virtual environments and Augmented Reality (AR) Work Instructions, MindSpring realized a deeper understanding of processes and role-specific knowledge was crucial. MindSpring consultants conducted a Micro-Level Needs Assessment, on-site, with the beverage company’s training team, HR, and process department managers and supervisors.

Key findings from the Needs Assessment:

1.

Identified the pivotal role of the processing department in the company’s production chain

2.

Recognized the profound impact of errors on overall efficiency and downstream departments

3.

Verified roles, analyzing behaviors, and discerning learning preferences, and identified the significance of storytelling in conveying experiential knowledge crucial for effective troubleshooting

4.

Emphasized the necessity for tailored delivery methods to optimize training outcomes

The Results

After the Needs Assessment, MindSpring proposed a multifaceted solution to address the beverage company’s challenges in its processing department including:

Implement a formal onboarding program to ensure consistent training

Digitize behavior checklists and created a certification program to standardize performance assessments

Establish a feedback loop between L&D, Talent Acquisition, and supervisors/SMEs to facilitate ongoing improvement

Develop various learning assets such as animations, videos, infographics, and e-learning modules to represent workflow and required performance

Integrate storytelling to convey experiential knowledge effectively

Additionally, MindSpring suggested refining job roles through stakeholder alignment sessions to create targeted learning assets.

How Would a Needs Assessment Work for Your Organization?

This engagement sets the stage for how learning experiences can support the business and its outcomes. Whether you’re looking to refine your current learning strategy, explore new methodologies, or address any other business challenges, this engagement delves deeper into understanding your learners’ unique needs and how you can tailor a learning experience to best fit those needs and the company’s goals. Reach out to us to learn