Problem Solving & Decision Making
These competency standards measure how well the employee can identify, analyze, and resolve problems. This competency focuses on initiative and follow through.
Standard 1:
Builds a logical approach to address problems by drawing on one’s knowledge and experience, calling on other references and resources as necessary
Instructional Designer
I
Instructional Designer
II
Instructional Designer III
Manager
Brainstorms, researches, and consults colleagues for various solutions
Analyzes the root causes of problems or situations by evaluating the factors contributing to the issue
Develops action plans for systematic problems, taking into consideration obstacles and planning for contingencies
Implements established strategies or best practices to address problems
Manages and reviews intake requests as related to enterprise needs, review stakeholder goals, business impact, and evaluation methods to ensure goals are met
Applies analytical methods, such as root cause analysis, systems thinking, or critical thinking, to gain deeper insights into the problem and develop effective solutions.
Engages with various departments or external resources to gather insights and feedback, ensuring that solutions are well-rounded and scalable.
Evaluates intake requests and problem scenarios by considering factors such as enterprise needs, business impact, and stakeholder goals. Prioritizes based on urgency, resources, and potential outcomes.
Standard 2:
Breaks complex tasks into manageable parts systematically through attention to detail, critical thinking, and analysis.
Instructional Designer
I
Instructional Designer
II
Instructional Designer III
Manager
Writes learning objectives that adhere to Bloom’s taxonomy and progress the learner’s thinking
Logically groups content into Collections, Paths, Courses, and Modules based on learning objectives and desired outcomes
Identifies and plans out project iterations and delegates tasks appropriately
Identifies dependencies and prioritizes tasks for maximum efficiency
Organizes task components at a granular level for strategic optimization of project completion
Develops contingency plans for potential changes, challenges and risks
Meets with stakeholders (e.g., subject matter experts, leadership, learners) to clarify goals, expectations, and constraints.
Delegates tasks to those best equipped to complete the work while ensuing balanced workloads
Standard 3:
Thinks of several possible explanations or alternatives for a situation, anticipates potential obstacles, and develops contingency plans to overcome them.
Instructional Designer
I
Instructional Designer
II
Instructional Designer III
Manager
Identifies common challenges and considers how the project may be impacted
Considers different perspectives and explores various options
Develops simple contingency plans with workarounds to address anticipated obstacles
Analyzes needs across multiple departments to develop appropriate resources that can be used across the enterprise
Anticipates complex obstacles and weigh the pros and cons of different approaches to each
Develops detailed contingency plans and outline specific steps in response to anticipated challenge
Generates creative solutions to complex challenges including identifying long-term implications and potential unintended consequences
Demonstrates a high level of foresight and proactively plan for unforeseen obstacles.
Includes multiple layers of redundancy/flexibility in plans to ensure they are able to address a wide range of potential obstacles
Applies knowledge gained from past experiences, learner feedback, project outcomes, and data to identify patterns and underlying causes
Predicts potential hurdles to facilitate contingency plans
Ensures flexibility in project plans to accommodate changes and roadblocks
Standard 4:
Identifies the information needed to solve problems effectively and communicate outcomes.
Instructional Designer
I
Instructional Designer
II
Instructional Designer III
Manager
Provides support for various projects related to learning technologies development (i.e. Assessments, survey, etc.)
Summarize understanding of problems and ask clarifying questions from supervisors and peers
Review project documentation and conduct research to fill in gaps
Identify specific data points, resources and expertise needed for effective solutions
Demonstrate comprehensive understanding of the situation which is gained through research, consultation with SMEs, and experience.
Provide detailed and comprehensive reports of findings, reasoning, and implications of their solutions (when appropriate)
Prioritize data sources and analysis methods based on relevance and reliability
Leverage specialized expertise to access critical information and insights.
Collaborate with SMEs to deepen their understanding of complex problems and develop innovative solutions
Synthesize complex problems and outcomes to comprehensive reports, presentations, and recommendations to executives.
Effectively communicates to stakeholders by tailoring messaging and data points
Standard 5:
Presents problem analysis with recommended solutions, rather than simply describing the problem.
Instructional Designer I
Instructional Designer II
Instructional Designer III
Manager
Identifies and communicates problems as they arise
Reviews survey results and incorporate feedback by revising learning activities
Develop survey questions to gain actionable feedback on course development and delivery
Validates feedback with stakeholders
Proposes multiple solutions employing various instructional techniques
Conducts thorough root cause analysis using data from learning analytics, surveys, and learner behavior to support the problem description.
Evaluates the problem from multiple angles and offers evidence-based solutions.
Suggests strategic solutions with clear pros and cons for each option, considering resources, timelines, and potential outcomes.
Leads the team in identifying and analyzing complex problems, using advanced instructional design principles and data analytics.
Encourages multiple, strategic solutions with in-depth analysis of each option's impact on the organization, stakeholders, and learners.
Provides a clear roadmap for execution, including timelines, resource allocation, and stakeholder engagement, and monitors progress.