10 Questions to Determine if a Training Request is Worth Your Time
Ensure your response is both intentional and strategic.
If you are like most L&D teams, the requests you receive to create a training or learning solution are likely more plentiful than the time you have available to fulfill them.
In the words of one of my favorite mentors, "There will always be more to do than the time and resources we have available, we need to choose wisely."
Wisely means saying yes to the right requests. After all, there is a "no" hiding inside of every "yes." Every choice has implications. The time spent on certain projects means others won't get done. Let's make sure the choice to say yes or no to requests is intentional and strategic.
The "right" projects
How do we do this? How do we know which requests deserve a yes? Which are the "right" projects to pursue? How can we ensure our response is both intentional and strategic?
Consider the following 10 questions as a starting point. They aren't questions to ask your stakeholder, but questions to ask yourself as an L&D professional aiming to work as a strategic business partner.
Personally, I like asking the questions in the order presented below, as often my best response to the request (yes or no) becomes obvious before I get through the entire list. Other times I need to ask all the questions and view the collective answers to make the best decision possible.
#1: Does L&D already have something available that will fulfill this request?
We don't need to be in the business of continuously creating new resources. If something already exists, we can point our stakeholder in that direction (this is the easiest way to say "no").
Don't give into your annoyance that someone asked for something that already exists. Most people in your organization are focused on their own challenges and workloads which means they don't spend their days combing through the L&D library. This request is your opportunity to share a resource with them exactly at their moment of need.
#2: Does this request tie to a larger strategic initiative?
If there is an obvious tie to achieving a larger strategic initiative for the organization, then a yes is likely warranted. Working as a strategic business partner means we use our expertise to achieve business initiatives. We are part of the larger team working to meet larger organizational goals.
#3: Is this request based on compliance or a critical business need?
The reasons behind requests based on compliance and unforeseen critical needs are often important enough that we shouldn't (or really can't) say no.
Compliance rules are often set by outside entities. If they’re not followed, there may be legal implications. Unforeseen critical needs that aren't initially included in strategic goals can pop up due to circumstances in the company, industry, or location. The critical nature of these needs makes them a necessary pivot for learning strategy. For example, consider the impact of the unforeseen COVID-19 pandemic and the corresponding need for learning solutions.
#4: Does your L&D team need to build trust or influence with the stakeholder(s) involved?
Showing your value by fulfilling a stakeholder request, especially if you can exceed expectations, is a terrific way to build trust and influence with important people in the company. If this request will allow you to collaborate closely with a particular stakeholder or team with whom you need to build trust, it might be worth the time.
#5: Will fulfilling this request help build L&D's influence or visibility in the organization?
Some requests have a large enough scope that they allow the L&D team to gain greater visibility throughout the company or a specific area. If visibility is something that your team needs, and this request will provide that opportunity, it may be worth the time.
#6: Will fulfilling this request provide a solution that scales?
Sometimes creating a particular piece of content is just what the organization needs as a foundation for a scalable solution in the future. Learning leaders who function as strategic business partners are always thinking about scale. If a request has the possibility to reach a broader audience or create efficiencies that can be used down the road, it may be worth your time to dive deeper.
#7: Will fulfilling this request avoid future problems?
Some requests seem innocent at first but eventually open a can of worms that become difficult or impossible to contain. If you think that fulfilling a specific request could create more problems later (i.e. set an unsustainable precedent, lead to budget issues, etc.), it may not be worth pursuing.
#8: Can the performance problem be alleviated with a learning solution?
This is a biggie and may require additional research and performance-focused questions to truly determine the answer. Even the most fantastic training or learning solutions can't solve every performance problem. If the root of the issue isn't related to skills and knowledge, creating a learning solution will be a waste of time and resources for everyone involved. Stakeholders want solutions to their pain points, but usually aren't experts in what training/learning can and cannot solve.
#9: Does the L&D team have the capacity and expertise to work on this request?
Is the L&D team realistically able to work on this request at the current time? Can you find space in the current workload or move things around? Are the team members who have expertise in this area available? Does anyone have expertise in this area? If you keep coming up with "no" as an answer to these questions, it's time to get creative. Perhaps you need to circle back at a later time. Perhaps you need to negotiate for additional resources or perhaps there's another way to meet the need.
#10: Will the stakeholder partner to create the proposed solution?
Partnership means both L&D and the needed stakeholders/SMEs will be working together to create a solution. This may mean collaboratively sharing expertise, resources, or both. If the requester is unable or unwilling to commit to partnering in a solution, the project will not only be frustrating, but the chances of success are small.
Bottom line: share an intentional, strategic response
Whether you use these questions, variations, or another list of your own, the most important outcome is to respond intentionally and strategically. Your answer might be yes, no, or not right now, but it should be thoughtful, resulting in a fully committed response.
