11 Steps for Building an L&D Strategy [2023]

Wondering what it takes to build an effective corporate learning strategy? You’re not alone. 

The importance of Learning and Development (L&D) in shaping productive, capable, and satisfied employees is no secret in today’s rapidly evolving corporate landscape.

A strategic, well-structured L&D program can significantly improve performance, boost productivity, and foster employee retention – but putting together an impactful strategy can be daunting.

To help, we’ve distilled the process into eleven essential steps that’ll take you from setting your L&D goals to implementing and adjusting your strategy. So, let’s get started!

What is a corporate L&D strategy?

A corporate Learning and Development strategy is a systematic approach to identifying, designing, and implementing learning initiatives aligned with an organization’s goals and objectives.

The strategy aims to improve employee performance, engagement, and retention. But, what does effective corporate training bring to the table?

• Enhanced employee skills and adaptability: Through tailored learning programs, employees gain new competencies and skills, becoming more adaptable to the demands of their roles.
• Culture of continuous learning and development: An L&D strategy fosters a culture of continual growth.
• Overall organizational success: A trained workforce increases productivity and directly impacts the bottom line.
• Improved employee engagement and satisfaction: Training shows employees that the company values their professional growth, enhancing satisfaction.
• Higher retention rates: With better job satisfaction comes lower turnover, saving costs related to hiring and onboarding.
• Strengthened talent pipeline: L&D nurtures high-performing employees for leadership roles and bolsters succession planning.

The importance of corporate training is evident in the numbers. Training expenditure has risen continually by almost $10 billion in 2022 alone.

Moreover, with 93% of organizations concerned about retention, L&D could play a significant role in assuaging these concerns. 

Simply put, a well-crafted L&D strategy is an investment that pays rich dividends.

How to build an effective L&D strategy in 11 steps

Let’s dive into the process of building a corporate L&D strategy with an 11-step roadmap that’ll help you devise a successful strategy that aligns with your business goals.

1. Understand the strategic environment

The first step towards building an effective L&D strategy is understanding the strategic environment in which your organization operates.

This environment encompasses industry trends, the competitive landscape, and organizational objectives. 

Grasping these aspects will help you tailor an L&D strategy that’s in tune with your business ecosystem.

Consider the following approaches to gather insights and information:

• SWOT analysis: Conduct a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis to identify areas where training can bolster your organization’s strengths and address weaknesses.
• Stakeholder engagement: Connect with key stakeholders – managers, employees, and executives – to understand skill gaps and learning requirements.
• Review strategic plans: Evaluate your organization’s strategic plans and objectives to ensure the L&D initiatives align with them.

2. Establish clear L&D goals

Once you’ve pinpointed your strategic environment, it’s time to establish clear L&D goals. 

These objectives should be well-defined, measurable, and achievable and must align with your organization’s broader goals and priorities.

Clearly laid out L&D goals ensure your training initiatives stay on track and deliver the desired outcomes.

Developing specific targets and success criteria is crucial. Here’s where SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) goals come into play.

• Specific: Define precise outcomes of your L&D efforts, e.g., ‘Increase product knowledge among sales personnel’.
• Measurable: Set quantifiable criteria to gauge progress, like ‘80% of sales staff should pass the product knowledge test’.
• Achievable: Ensure the goals are within reach, considering resources and constraints.
• Relevant: Align the goals with business objectives and employee development needs.
• Time-bound: Set a clear timeline for achieving these goals to instill a sense of urgency and focus.

By adopting SMART goals, you can structure your L&D strategy with clear direction and purpose, resulting in effective learning initiatives.

3. Determine resources and budget requirements

Getting the right support and investment is critical to successfully implementing your L&D initiatives.

So, consider the following factors when outlining your resource and budget needs:

• Existing infrastructure: Analyze the current facilities and tools at your disposal, identifying any potential upgrades or additions needed.
• Personnel: Consider the human resources required, such as trainers, L&D specialists, or external consultants.
• Technology: Evaluate your need for L&D software or digital learning platforms to facilitate e-learning.

Many business owners do not invest in corporate L&D because they fail to see a tangible benefit. 

However, investing in L&D can yield significant returns. A study by Deloitte showed that every $1 increase in L&D spending per employee corresponds with a revenue increase of $4.70 per employee in the same year.

4. Identify learning and development needs

This involves conducting a comprehensive learning needs assessment, pinpointing skill gaps, performance issues, and areas ripe for improvement.

Here’s how you can determine your company’s specific needs:

• Identify skill gaps: Evaluate your employees’ existing skills and compare them with the competencies required to meet your organizational goals.
• Engage with stakeholders: Solicit input from employees, managers, and other stakeholders to understand their learning needs and aspirations.
• Spot performance issues: Look for patterns in performance reviews or feedback that suggest areas requiring extra attention.

It’s essential to prioritize these needs based on organizational goals and resource constraints. 

Prioritization ensures that the most critical needs are addressed first, paving the way for a strategic and effective L&D plan.

This approach ensures that your L&D initiatives deliver value where it’s needed most and bolster your organization’s overall performance.

5. Develop learning and development initiatives

With a clear understanding of your organization’s L&D needs, you can design and develop targeted L&D programs and initiatives. 

These should address the identified needs and align with your set L&D goals.

Here are some considerations to keep in mind:

• Address identified needs: Develop initiatives that target the prioritized learning needs. For instance, consider incorporating a digital skills training program if there’s a significant skill gap in digital literacy.
• Align with L&D goals: Make sure your initiatives are in line with the established L&D goals and contribute to the overarching objectives of your organization.
• Consider learning styles and formats: People have different learning styles; some prefer visual content, while others thrive on interactive activities. Consider a blend of learning formats – webinars, e-learning, workshops – to cater to diverse preferences.
• Delivery methods: Evaluate the most effective delivery methods. With the rise of remote work, you might consider leveraging platforms like AccessAlly to deliver online courses and training.

6. Outline and design a comprehensive L&D implementation strategy

The next step is to outline and design a comprehensive L&D strategy that integrates all initiatives, aligns with organizational objectives, and provides a clear roadmap for implementation.

Consider the following elements in your strategy:

• Timelines and milestones: Set clear timelines for each L&D initiative, including milestones to track progress. This ensures your learning initiatives are implemented efficiently and on schedule.
• Success criteria: Define what success looks like for each initiative. Having clear criteria allows you to measure the impact of your L&D efforts.
• Balance short-term and long-term goals: Your strategy should cater to immediate learning needs while fostering long-term skill development and growth. This balance ensures you’re equipping your employees for immediate challenges and preparing them for future opportunities.

With these considerations, you can build a well-rounded, strategic L&D plan that caters to your organization’s present and future learning needs, driving continuous improvement and growth.

7. Select delivery methods and platforms

Selecting the right delivery methods and platforms for your L&D initiatives is another critical component of your strategy.

These range from traditional classroom training to e-learning, blended learning, and on-the-job training. 

Leveraging technology can also significantly enhance the learning experience, making it more engaging, accessible, and effective.

One of the most potent solutions on the market is AccessAlly. Here’s why it’s an ideal choice for corporate L&D:

• Course and membership management: With flexible course builders and progress tracking, you can create and manage engaging online courses tailored to your corporate L&D needs.
• Efficient bulk enrollment: AccessAlly’s bulk course enrollment feature can easily handle the training needs of large corporate teams.
• Interactive features: Quizzes, assignments, and private notes functionalities enhance interaction and learning.
• Clear learning pathways: Progress tracking and objective checklists guide learners along a clear learning pathway.
• Gamification: Points and badges features stimulate motivation and engagement among learners.
• Automated processes: Automation capabilities reduce administrative workload and allow for customized learning experiences.
• Analytics: Engagement metrics enable you to monitor and optimize the effectiveness of your L&D initiatives.

8. Create a plan for evaluation and assessment

Creating a robust evaluation and assessment plan helps your L&D initiatives drive your desired outcomes and measure the return on investment.

Here are some methods you can employ to measure the effectiveness of your L&D initiatives:

• Pre and post-assessments: Assessing learners before and after the completion of an initiative can measure knowledge acquisition and skill development.
• Feedback surveys: Conducting regular surveys provides insights into learners’ experiences, allowing you to identify areas for improvement.
• Performance metrics: Tracking performance metrics, such as productivity, quality of work, and job proficiency, can indicate the real-world impact of your L&D initiatives.

This continuous loop of feedback, assessment, and improvement ensures that your L&D initiatives always provide value to your organization.

9. Establish metrics and measurement

Establishing clear metrics and measurement processes helps track progress, identify areas for improvement, and demonstrate the ROI of your initiatives.

Metrics and key performance indicators to consider include:

• Learning completion rates: Measure the number of employees who complete their learning assignments. A high completion rate often signals a compelling and relevant course.
• Knowledge acquisition: Pre and post-training assessments can reveal the extent of knowledge gained from the learning initiatives.
• Application of learning: Observe how well the skills learned are applied on the job. This could include improvements in productivity or proficiency.
• Employee feedback: Collect employee feedback to understand their experience and gauge their satisfaction with the training program.

AccessAlly provides valuable insights into these metrics. It tracks user engagement and progress, giving you a clear view of how well your initiatives are performing.

By continuously measuring these metrics, you can ensure your L&D initiatives achieve their intended outcomes and contribute to your organization’s success.

10. Develop a change management plan

Change management is key to overcoming resistance, securing buy-in, and ensuring smooth transitions. 

A well-structured change management plan can greatly facilitate the launch and adoption of your L&D programs.

Here’s a simple guide on how to approach this:

• Identify the change: Clearly define what the change is, its scope, and its potential impacts.
• Stakeholder analysis: Understand who will be affected by the change and their potential reactions.
• Develop clear messaging: Communicate why the change is happening, its benefits, and how it will impact employees.
• Training and support: Provide adequate training and resources to help employees adjust to the change.
• Address concerns openly: Foster a culture where concerns and resistance can be openly discussed and addressed.
• Create a timeline: Detail when and how the change will be implemented.
• Assess progress regularly: Continuously monitor and evaluate the progress of the change.
• Celebrate successes: Recognizing and celebrating milestones can boost morale and engagement.

11. Implement, monitor, and adjust your strategy

Finally, the last phase of building an effective corporate L&D strategy involves implementing, monitoring, and adjusting your initiatives based on continuous evaluation and feedback. 

Here’s how you can tackle this phase:

• Implementation: Put your L&D strategy into action, ensuring that all the necessary resources, technology, and personnel are in place for successful execution.
• Monitoring: Continuously track your established metrics and measure the progress of your initiatives. Tools like AccessAlly can provide invaluable insights into engagement and progress.
• Adjustment: Regularly review your L&D initiatives based on performance data and feedback. Make necessary adjustments to ensure alignment with your objectives and the changing needs of your organization.
• Maintain flexibility: Maintain a flexible approach to your L&D strategy. As organizational needs and priorities evolve, so should your learning and development initiatives.

Remember, building an effective L&D strategy is not a one-time effort, but an ongoing process that requires commitment, flexibility, and a continuous improvement mindset.

Examples of corporate learning strategies in action

To see successful corporate learning strategies in action, let’s take a look at some of the world’s leading organizations:

• Google’s g2g (Googler-to-Googler) program: Google’s peer-to-peer learning program emphasizes learning from colleagues. It’s been instrumental in fostering a culture of shared knowledge and continuous learning, and has led to increased employee engagement and collaboration.
• IBM’s Basic Blue: As an organization that started employee training programs back in 1916, IBM has been a trailblazer in corporate learning. Their leadership-focused program, Basic Blue, is highly regarded for its innovative and effective approach to professional development, contributing significantly to their success.

Adopting a strategic approach to L&D can yield significant results, as demonstrated by Rachel Feldman’s membership site. 

A health and wellness guru, Rachel was overwhelmed by the time it took to create content, market, and build her business – and she wasn’t alone.

Together with developer Sonja Bannon, Rachel creates done-for-you programs and content that other health and wellness experts can utilize.

Eager to streamline processes and avoid stress, Rachel and Sonja took the time to create a solid strategy for the pivoting business. 

This involved mapping out program content, finalizing design and layout, and polishing the customer journey.

Providing an easy-to-access hub full of high-quality learning content means that Rachel now has a network of customers who are happy to return.

Rachel’s experience underscores the transformative impact that a strategic, well-implemented corporate learning program like AccessAlly can have on employee engagement, performance, and overall business outcomes.

Whether it’s peer-to-peer learning or tech-enabled personalized learning pathways, the key to success lies in matching L&D initiatives with organizational goals and learners’ needs.

Enhance your L&D strategy with AccessAlly today

Building an effective corporate learning strategy is no small feat; it requires understanding your strategic environment, defining clear L&D goals, identifying needs, and designing tailored initiatives.

You can transform your L&D efforts into a powerful engine of growth and success for your business through meticulous planning, selecting the right delivery platforms, and constant evaluation.

AccessAlly can give you a helping hand throughout the process with a range of robust features, from a flexible course builder to progress tracking, gamification, automation, and insightful metrics.

So, why wait to elevate your corporate learning? Empower your employees and enhance your business performance by leveraging AccessAlly for your L&D strategy today. 

With the right tools and strategy, you can unlock the full potential of corporate learning!