Effective learning interventions take into account who performs the job tasks related to the performance gap and under what work conditions. This step answers those questions with information that helps you envision possible approaches to training that will or will not work for the situation.
Knowing the characteristics of the learners--their background, experience, current or future job responsibilities, recent training, literacy/languages, gender, total number and so forth--helps you direct the learning intervention to the appropriate level.
Knowing the physical and social environment of the work setting--facility size, condition and locations; range of services offered; work team; supervisory and referral systems and so forth--helps you tailor the learning intervention to the real-life conditions of the sites where the learners work.
Factors in the work setting can support proper job performance or discourage performance. If conditions in the work setting discourage proper performance, the learning intervention may need to address these. For example, job aids, problem-solving exercises, supervisor training and changes that increase health workers' motivation to perform may be needed.
Use Tool #4 Learner Characteristics Worksheet and Tool #5 Work Setting Characteristics Worksheet to record information in this step.