Training and Development - Selected Case Studies

Army Research Institute for Social and Behavioral Sciences (ARI)

Client Objective: The Army Research Institute for Social and Behavioral Sciences (ARI) and the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School (USAJFKSWCS) sought to develop interpersonal skill training for junior-level Civil Affairs (CA) Soldiers. Civil affairs units help military commanders by working with civil authorities and civilian populations in the commander’s area of operations to lessen the impact of military operations.  Because they work closely with indigenous populations, interpersonal skills are critical for mission achievement. 

FMP Approach:

• FMP’s first step in creating the interpersonal skill training course was to review CA job requirements and existing training in order to identify those performance areas that are key to mission success and have interpersonal skill requirements that were not being overtly trained. FMP found that building rapport was a key interpersonal skill that was not being overtly trained.
• FMP developed building rapport training in five sections: Introduction to Rapport Building, Using Body Language to Build Rapport, Developing the Mindset for Building Rapport, Managing Conversations to Build Rapport, and Putting the Skills Together.
• Topics within these lessons provide knowledge and practice in areas such as using and interpreting body language, demonstrating respect, taking others’ perspectives, and managing conversations.
• In addition, we included elements such as CA Soldier testimonials and vignettes to increase the Soldiers’ motivation to learn and use interpersonal skills by increasing their understanding of the importance of social skills for achieving missions.

Results: The final product is a web-based course with interactive training modules. The content can be applied toward schoolhouse or unit-based training and can be used with an individual or group training approach. The course also provides additional guidance for self-development in interpersonal skills as well as a leader handbook with instructions about using the training in a group setting.  USAJFKSWCS is in the process of making the course available as part of their online training university the Army Special Operations Forces University (ARSOFU).

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

Client Objective: The Flight Standards Training Division (AFS-500) of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is the principal organization responsible for training the Flight Standards workforce.  Flight Standards identified a number of issues with its current training curriculum and called for a comprehensive process to transform the curriculum to take advantage of new training technologies, improve the quality and timeliness of training delivery, more precisely meet the training needs of individual employees, and enhance overall cost-effectiveness of training. 

FMP Approach: FMP worked with FAA in order to establish an integrated training system that prepared all employees to perform their assigned job tasks through all stages of their careers and seamlessly integrate instructional methods to provide efficient and effective learning and performance support in line with Flight Standards mission and strategic priorities. FMP engaged in the following activities:

• Collect and Analyze Data. FMP collected and analyzed a variety of data and information including data collected through individual and group interviews, data from available documentation, data from databases and other information resources, and data collected through surveys. 
• Develop updated Master Plan for Training. FMP developed a Master Plan for Training based on the data collected and through a facilitated review of that data by a Master Plan working group.
• Develop Curriculum Transformation Guide. FMP developed a Curriculum Transformation Guide. This guide laid out a plan and process for transforming the Flight Standards curriculum over both the short-term and long-term.

Results: FAA received a training system that provides all employees with the training and information they need to perform their job tasks effectively and in accordance with Flight Standards mission and strategic objectives. Furthermore, FAA received a structured, integrated, and efficient training curriculum that can be tailored to the needs of individual positions and employees.