"Learning in the flow of work"

Learning in the flow of work

White Paper: mentessa

What is learning in the flow of work?

The term “learning in the flow of work” was coined in 2018 by analyst and author Josh Bersin. It refers to a learning experience which is not separated from work or the workplace in the way that formal classroom training is.

Instead, learning is available on demand as employees go about their daily work tasks. This new paradigm in corporate L&D recognizes that for learning to really happen, it must fit around and align itself to working practices.

For example, imagine a software engineer who has a specific question about a programming language they have just started using, or a compliance officer who needs to recall a step in a recently-introduced procedure. Or perhaps, a junior employee who is working on a stretch assignment and needs help with a task they have never done before. In all three cases, learning in the flow of work is just the kind of help needed. With the right kind of support, each employee can access a short piece of learning content that delivers the required information. The on-demand assistance means employees can quickly gain valuable new skills and solve problems without having to take time away from their roles.

As already mentioned, two defining features of LIFOW experiences are their on-demand availability and relatively short duration. Another third common factor is technology. Learning in the flow of work will not be possible without the modern advances in computing, mobile technologies and AI.

Finally, some may assume that LIFOW makes employees so self-sufficient that they no longer need to rely on their peers or managers for help. Such an assumption is wrong. People learn more effectively³ when interacting with others. In addition, employee-generated content is proving very useful in corporate training. This is why learning in the flow of work and a connected learning culture go hand-in-hand.