First Things Fast: A Handbook for Performance Analysis (Essential Knowledge Resource)

The world of learning and performance has changed significantly since the first edition of First Things Fast was published more than a decade ago. This thoroughly revised and updated second edition of the best–selling classic recognizes a world chock–full of technology, economic strains, and opportunities. How do learning and performance professionals plan in this shifting context? How do they take advantage of new human and Internet–based resources? How do they bring their recommendations forward and add more value, no matter where they work? These questions are addressed throughout this new edition.

This important resource is a practical guide that is filled with job aids, design templates, and examples offering step–by–step guidance to the basics of performance analysis.

This new edition includes:

• New questions and templates that reflect the shift of learning and support from the classroom to the workplace, and the blends that provide learning and support in both environments

• Fresh approaches for using wikis, blogs, and online surveys to gather information

• Innovative ideas for tapping into the power of social networking and the possibilities presented for analysts

• Information on the critical link between analysis and evaluation and new guidelines for both activities

• A wealth of new illustrative case examples

• Insightful commentaries from successful leaders in the field who explain how they use analysis to advance individual and organizational strategy

"Allison Rossett combines thought leadership for the profession with practical guidance. This book, the second edition of a classic in the field, is filled with proven practices and ready–to–use tools making this a resource you‘ll use frequently." –Dana Gaines Robinson, Coauthor, Performance Consulting ANDSTRATEGIC BUSINESS PARTNER

"What I appreciate about this book is that it is a straightforward, practical guide to planning, and it embraces new technology and the convergence of learning and work." –Nancy J. Lewis, Vice President and Chief Learning Officer, ITT Corporation

From the Inside Flap
Look before you leap—start smart with this engaging field guide!Foreword by Marc J. Rosenberg, district manager, strategic learning technologies, AT&THow do you figure out what to do? This book offers you strategies to answer that question. It‘s a hands–on guide to planning and consultation, with an emphasis on tools, tales, templates, speed, sources, and systems. First Things Fast is the quick start you need to surmount resistance to investigating performance. Allison Rossett offers you priceless tips on:

• Accelerating analysis
• Using technology
• Overcoming organizational obstacles
• Communicating with experts, customers, and colleagues
• Presenting results . . . and much more!

"Rossett‘s book is a practical, down–to–earth set of guidelines from an accomplished professional who‘s obviously ‘been there.‘"—Joe Harless, author of Peak Performance System and The Eden Conspiracy"Rossett has produced an eminently readable, practical handbook that helps human resource professionals apply performance analysis methods fast. A friAndly, comforting, useful volume that we will definitely recommAnd to our clients."—Harold D. Stolovitch, professor, Universite de Montreal; president, Harold D. Stolovitch & Associates; and Erica J. Keeps, executive vice–president, Harold D. Stolovitch & Associates "This book is a must–have for anyone who is responsible for identifying performance and training needs. It‘s chock full of proven tips, techniques, practices, tools, and examples. And with Rossett‘s wonderful humor evident throughout, it‘s fun to read!"—Dana Gaines Robinson, president, Partners in Change; coauthor, Performance ConsultingYou‘ll get job aids, design templates, and implementation examples that direct you through the basics of performance analysis. A frequently updated, internet–based coaching and information system will complement and supplement the book (www.jbp.com/rossett.html). Start smart with Rossett‘s guide! ––This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the back cover:

Look before you leap—start smart with this engaging field guide!

Foreword by Marc J. Rosenberg, district manager, strategic learning technologies, AT&T

How do you figure out what to do?

This book offers you strategies to answer that question. It‘s a hands–on guide to planning and consultation, with an emphasis on tools, tales, templates, speed, sources, and systems. First Things Fast is the quick start you need to surmount resistance to investigating performance.

Allison Rossett offers you priceless tips on:

• Accelerating analysis
  
• Using technology
  
• Overcoming organizational obstacles
  
• Communicating with experts, customers, and colleagues
  
• Presenting results . . . and much more!

"Rossett‘s book is a practical, down–to–earth set of guidelines from an accomplished professional who‘s obviously ‘been there.‘"—Joe Harless, author of Peak Performance System and The Eden Conspiracy

"Rossett has produced an eminently readable, practical handbook that helps human resource professionals apply performance analysis methods fast. A friendly, comforting, useful volume that we will definitely recommend to our clients."—Harold D. Stolovitch, professor, Universit de Montr al; president, Harold D. Stolovitch & Associates; and Erica J. Keeps, executive vice–president, Harold D. Stolovitch & Associates

"This book is a must–have for anyone who is responsible for identifying performance and training needs. It‘s chock full of proven tips, techniques, practices, tools, and examples. And with Rossett‘s wonderful humor evident throughout, it‘s fun to read!"—Dana Gaines Robinson, president, Partners in Change; coauthor, Performance Consulting

You‘ll get job aids, design templates, and implementation examples that direct you through the basics of performance analysis. A frequently updated, internet–based coaching and information system will complement and supplement the book (www.jbp.com/rossett.html). Start smart with Rossett‘s guide! ––This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author:

Allison Rossett is a professor of educational technology at San Diego State University and a consultant in workforce learning and performance and technology–based systems. She is the author of the best–selling Handbook of Job Aids (Pfeiffer) and Beyond the Podium (Pfeiffer), both of which are winners of the International Society for Performance Improvement‘s Instructional Communications award.