The Business Impact Matrix ensures that measurable business benefit is realised as a result of investment in learning and development activities.
Background
For a learning and development intervention to result in measurable business benefit, three distinct categories of capability enhancement must be considered, addressed and monitored: delivery role holder capability development, management and support capability development and organisational and infrastructure development.
The Business Impact Matrix provides a detailed analysis of:
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The anticipated benefits that may be achieved as a result of investment in learning and development interventions
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The associated activities which need to take place within the organisation for the benefits to be fully realised
What outcome can be expected?
The Business Impact Matrix will enable facilitators to:
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Help companies relate the success of learning and development interventions to the achievement of strategic goals
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Determine what measurable business benefit may be realised through investment in the identified learning and development activities
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Assist companies in identifying the individual and organisational capabilities and the supporting organisational infrastructure that will lead to achievement of the business benefit
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Provide companies with a mechanism for monitoring the implementation of their learning and development activities and the achieved business benefits
Elements
There are four main elements:
- Business Impact Matrix: identifies the factors relevant within a business impact analysis
- Business Impact Template: provides a one-page overview of all the development activities required to achieve & monitor the desired business impact
- Business Impact Analysis Handbook: describes the deployment process
- Business Impact Implementation Handbook: develops the business case
When should you use it?
The matrix should be used in the analysis and implementation phases of a business-focussed learning and development intervention, and revisited after the intervention has taken place in order to evaluate the realised business benefits.
How does it work?
A skilled facilitator will work with a client organisation by analysing each of the areas identified on the matrix. In this way, all relevant factors and developmental actions required in order to achieve a specified business benefit will be determined. Measures will be put in place to monitor improvements in performance.
Within the detailed design of a learning and development intervention, the approach may be extended in order to prioritise activities, set and monitor comprehensive plans and provide a robust business case for the learning and development and associated activities.
