Developing world-class employees with the 70:20:10 model (2024)

Developing world-class employees with the 70:20:10 model (1)

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Posted on November 12, 2018

In recent years, the70:20:10 modelfor learning and development has been adopted by organisations all over the world. What started out as a simple concept has become a trend, with organisations recognising that the traditional approach to structured learning and development no longer supports their strategic goals. In addition, they’re also recognising that significant development happensoutside of formal learning opportunities.

So what is the 70:20:10 model, why are organisations adopting it and how can it help high-performance employees?

Understanding the 70:20:10 model

Organisations describe the 70:20:10 model in a variety of ways, but essentially It’s a strategic workplace learning framework that can be used to boost staff effectiveness by supporting the three types of learning: experiential (70), social (20), and formal (10). The 70:20:10 model is also known asperformance-oriented learningthat happens on the job. While traditional models of learning through formal programs might be most-effective in cases of skills deficits, performance problems or retraining, 70:20:10 focuses on learning in the context of the workplace, to make good employees even better.

The ratios are not set in stone. Rather, they act as a general guide for each type of learning, and these numbers can vary significantly from enterprise to enterprise. Indeed, in some organisations have experienced the ratio as closer to40% on the job, 30% coaching and mentoring, and 30% formal training, and others have observed it as 50%, 30%, and 20%.

Experiential learning (70%)

Experiential learning can be described as informal, on-the-job learning. Employees are learning and practising while doing the job, in the absence of a formal program.

Social learning (20%)

Social learning involves coaching, mentoring, and developing through others. You learn with and through others, by drawing on your personal network and by taking advantage of cooperative opportunities.

Formal learning (10%)

The third type of learning is what we commonly understand as traditional training and development at work. In this type of learning, staff members are learning through formal courses.

The 70:20:10 model in practice

So what does 70:20:10 look like? Well, it’s guidance without control, support without supervision, and the enhancement of existing pathways to productivity. Organisations using the 70:20:10 principles might learn through conversations, sharing, searching, reporting, reflecting, hacking, creating, watching, and reading. The emphasis is on work, performance, and activity. The 70:20:10 approach supports what is already taking place.

And In a world where everyone has access to enormous quantities of information, employees need to learn more effectively than ever before. New learning approaches like the 70:20:10 model can help create high-performance employees who ensure organisations are competitive.

Benefits of the 70:20:10 model

In addition to allowing your organisation to take advantage of every learning opportunity, the 70:20:10 model offers benefits like flexibility, learning synergies, and engagement. These benefits are essential elements for creating high-performance employees.

Flexibility

Since 70:20:10 is a reference model and not a formula, it’s flexible enough for businesses to use it in a variety of ways. Some organisations use it to target specific performance development outcomes, while others use it strategically, to assist with wider learning philosophies.

Learning synergies

While each learning type in the 70:20:10 model occurs separately, they can support each other. For organisations looking for learning synergies, 70:20:10 can be particularly beneficial because the 20 informs the 70 while improving the 10. For example, you can use social learning to guide the design of effective informal (experiential) and formal training programs.

Staff engagement

Organisations that implement the 70:20:10 model have observedenhanced staff engagement. Staff are realising development happens all the time, and this is driving higher engagement.

Increased involvement of managers

Organisations using the 70:20:10 approach seeincreased involvement of supervisors and managers in employee development.

More effective problem solving

Experts suggest the problems in organisations are best solved with a 70:20:10 approach rather than traditional learning models. This means with a 70:20:10 model, you can more effectively solve your organisation’s problems, whether it’s through communities, collaboration, sharing, increased access, and greater motivation.

Potential challenges

Research suggests potential challenges for organisations aregetting buy-in and measuring the impact of their 70:20:10 strategy. Some organisations also find convincing stakeholders thatlearning and development can occur outside a traditional setting a challenge.

Some have also had difficulty helping managers understand their role in a 70:20:10 approach. Others experience resistance from HR and their learning and development teams.

Applying the 70:20:10 model

Deciding how to apply the 70:20:10 model requires an examination of what’s happening in your organisation and what you want to achieve. It might also require a close inspection of your staff and what they need to become high-performers. Since it’s a general principle, not a prescriptive formula, how you carry it out can vary significantly between organisations. However, you’ll want to appoint champions and embed the principles into your practices and processes as much as possible.

Start with what’s happening

Experts suggest a good place to start is to look at existing practices. What does learning and development look like in your organisation? Where is it happening? What can you do to make this more effective?

Engage your managers

Your managers could be the sweet spot when it comes to applying the 70:20:10 model in your business. Obtain their buy-in and encourage them to act as ambassadors for change. Hold them accountable for implementing the model, and encourage them to be mentors or coaches where appropriate.

Novice, practitioner, and expert learning

Leverage the 70:20:10 model to suit different learning approaches as required. Generally, the more junior your employee, the higher the ratio of formal training to informal learning. Experienced Practitioners, on the other hand, could benefit from less formal training, so use informal interventions with staff at these levels.

Focus on conversations

Focus on conversations rather than presentations, as effective learning happens through engagement and social interactions. In your learning interventions — formal and informal — see your staff members as peers and professionals rather than passive subordinates.

Use it as a guiding metaphor

You could maximise the benefits by highlighting 70:20:10 as much as possible. For example, you can use the 70:20:10 model as a guiding metaphor for your learning and development initiatives. By encouraging HR and all staff to value and apply the model, organisations can keep employees focused on the ways learning happens.

Embed it in your processes

Some organisations that use 70:20:10 have successfully embedded it in their performance
evaluation models. The outcome could be a boost to your business’s overall training mindset, and an enhancement of staff awareness of informal learning. All of these lead to the high-performance teams you need.

Appoint champions

Another way to boost the adoption of the 70:20:10 model is to appoint champions in your organisations. For example, you could have a governance committee made up of senior leaders who advocate for the application of the 70:20:10 model. These leaders should be tasked with aligning the principal with the business’s strategy as well as championing the concept across all levels. Be prepared for resistance, and make sure your champions are managing it with clear communication.

Revise and review

Your organisation and its needs will continuously change, so be prepared to review how the 70:20:10 model is being used. In addition, continue communicating the importance of the model so every staff member understands.

The 70:20:10 model is a concept that’s gathering momentum. Your organisation could be the next to apply its insights and principles. The model can be defined in different ways, but it caters to all the ways employees learn. Its advantages include shifting the focus from formal training to supporting performance development and learning on the job. Implementation will vary across every business, but champions and ongoing revision are essential. By successfully applying the 70:20:10 model, organisations can develop the high-performance employees that make them more competitive.

DeakinCo. provides learning and development solutions that measurably enhance the performance of individuals and organisations. With our workforce solutions that range from micro-credentialling to bespoke programs, we can support your organisation and its 70:20:10 strategy for high-performance employees.Contact us today for an obligation-free discussion.

Developing world-class employees with the 70:20:10 model (2024)

FAQs

What is the 70-20-10 model for developing world class employees? ›

The 70-20-10 rule reveals that individuals tend to learn 70% of their knowledge from challenging experiences and assignments, 20% from developmental relationships, and 10% from coursework and training.

What is the 70-20-10 model for learning and development 20% of successful employees knowledge comes from informal job-related experiences? ›

The 70 20 10 model states that people obtain: 70% of their knowledge from job-related experiences, 20% from interactions with others, like coworkers and managers, 10% from formal learning events.

How do you write a 70 20 10 development plan? ›

A 70 20 10 development plan prioritizes on-the-job learning as it accounts for 70% of learning and development. Then mentoring with colleagues and superiors, which accounts for 20%, and finally, formal learning making up the last 10%.

Is 70-20-10 model still relevant? ›

Since 70/20/10 is not a fixed rule but a guideline, it's up to you how you apply it in your organization. Some organizations use the framework to target performance development outcomes, while others use it in combination with their learning philosophies. You can use it to your advantage.

What is 70 20 10 leadership development methodology? ›

The 70-20-10 Leadership Development Model is commonly used within the training profession to describe the optimal sources of learning. It holds that individuals obtain 70 percent of their knowledge from job-related experiences, 20 percent from interactions with others, and 10 percent from formal educational events.

What are the implications of the 70 20 10 model? ›

Implications of the 70:20:10 Model

70:20:10 clearly emphasises the importance of practical learning and job-related experiences when planning individual development in a professional sphere, and therefore this on-the-job experience is something which team members are encouraged to be regularly exposed to.

What is the 70 20 10 content approach related with? ›

The 70:20:10 rule in content marketing

70% of content should be proven content that supports building your brand or attracting visitors to your site. 20% of content should be premier content which may be more costly or risky but has a bigger potential new audience, for example 'viral videos' or infographics.

What is the 70 20 10 model of learning and development in the Internet age? ›

It holds that individuals obtain 70% of their knowledge from job-related experiences, 20% from interactions with others, and 10% from formal educational events.

What is 70 20 10 simplified? ›

The 70:20:10 framework explains how we learn new information and skills in the workplace. It suggests that 70% of what we learn comes from on-the-job experiences, 20% from colleagues and co-workers, and 10% from formal training.

Who developed the 70 20 10 learning model? ›

The 70:20:10 learning model was developed by Morgan McCall, Robert Eichinger, and Michael Lombardo at the Center for Creative Leadership in the mid-1990s.

What advantages does 70 20 10 provide in relation to aligning learning with business strategies and outcomes? ›

Because the model puts less emphasis on formal training, the 70-20-10 learning solution allows for flexibility, helping employees refine their job-related skills and make decisions for their ongoing learning and development.

What is a good leadership development plan? ›

A leadership development plan is a strategic plan designed to help employees gain and develop leadership competencies and prepare them for management and leadership roles within an organization. This plan is usually structured, long-term and personalized for the unique needs of an employee and the organization.

What are the main methods used in leadership development? ›

Methods of Leadership Development. Leader development takes place through multiple mechanisms: formal instruction, developmental job assignments, 360-degree feedback, executive coaching, and self-directed learning. These approaches may occur independently but are more effective in combination.

What are the disadvantages of 70 20 10? ›

Con: It's Challenging To Evaluate

You can confirm how many times they tried the task before they succeeded, but you can't take full credit. They could have studied on their own or have intrinsic talent.

What is the 70:20:10 model and its implications for training quizlet? ›

A common learning model that assumes that 70 percent of learning occurs on the job, 20 percent occurs socially through coaching and mentoring, and 10 percent through formal classroom instruction. Training methods requiring an instructor or facilitator and involve face-to-face interaction between trainees.

What is the 70 20 10 learning model Harvard Business Review? ›

A recent Harvard Business Review study tells us that leadership development as it is, is not working. Since the 70:20:10 model was created in the 1980's, many studies show that learners develop 10% of knowledge in a classroom setting, 20% through coaching and observation of others and a whopping 70% through experience!

What are the four components of the ages model for learning? ›

It stands for Attention, Generation, Emotion, and Spacing. Together, the AGES Model enables people to learn quickly, and retain that information for the long haul.

How do you express 10 20 in simplest form? ›

In your case, one can write 10 as 2⋅5 and 20 as 2⋅2⋅5 . Thus, the fraction 1020 can be written as 2⋅52⋅2⋅5 . We can simplify one 2 and one 5 from both numerator and denominator, and so we conclude that 1020 is simplified into 12 .

What is 70 20 as a percentage? ›

Solution: 70/20 as a percent is 350%

What are examples of development plans for employees? ›

Examples include building communication skills, nurturing their self-management abilities, and improving critical thinking approaches. Common employee development plan examples include skills training, exposure to leadership roles, and succession planning.

Can you give an example of your own personal development? ›

16 examples of personal goals

Make better use of your time management skills and manage yourself better. Stop procrastinating. Put limits on your social media usage. Incorporate more self-care practices into your routine.

What is the difference between learning and development? ›

What is the difference between learning and development? Learning is concerned with the acquisition of knowledge, skills, and attitudes. Development is the broadening and deepening of knowledge in line with one's development goals.

In which model step by step learning is considered learning? ›

One method that can help you improve your study techniques is called the three-step model. With this model, you work step-by-step and you will never overload your brain anymore. That's why we call it a brain-friendly way of studying.

Which of the following cares about developing others and works beside them as a role model? ›

Servant Leadership

They prioritize the needs of other people above their own. Despite the fact that they're natural leaders, those who follow the servant leadership model don't try to maintain a white-knuckle grasp on their own status or power. Instead, they focus on elevating and developing the people who follow them.

Why is IT important for businesses to align strategies and activities with company goals? ›

Strategic alignment can help improve collaboration within an organization. When all members of an organization work collaboratively toward a common goal, efficiency, productivity and consistency may improve. Organizational unity can also help employees feel more connected, increasing their work satisfaction.

What are the key benefits of aligning business and IT strategy? ›

Improved collaboration between departments. Better end user experience. More clarity into the true cost of incidents. Reduced time-to-market.

What is Google 70 20 10 model of innovation? ›

It says you learn 70% of the things from doing tough jobs by yourself, 20% of learning comes from people you work with, and 10% from courses and reading. The theory was later picked up by Eric Schmidt, former CEO of Google, who decided to apply the model to Innovation at Google.

What is the 70 20 10 Princeton learning and Development model? ›

70% from real life and on-the-job experiences, tasks, and problem solving. This is the most important aspect of any learning and development plan. 20% from feedback and from observing and working with role models. 10% from formal training.

Who created 70 20 10 development model? ›

The 70:20:10 model was born in the 1980s, back when back-combed hair ruled the catwalks. It was developed by McCall, Lombardo and Eichinger. They asked nearly 200 executives to self-report on how they believe they learned.

Why did Google abandon 20 time for innovation? ›

Google's rationale – more focused innovation

This certainly – on the surface – make business sense, as the company is no longer the small rapidly growing business that it was in the early 2000s, with a business model that spawned new experimental products that would flourish or be quickly removed from the market.

What is 20% projects at Google? ›

The 20% Project is responsible for the development of many Google services. Founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page advised that workers "spend 20% of their time working on what they think will most benefit Google". Google's email service 'Gmail' was created by the developer Paul Buchheit on his 20% time.

How Google encourages innovation among its employees? ›

Google is one of the most innovative companies in the world; the company encourages its employees to be more creative with policies such as the '20% rule'. Through this rule, the employees are required to spend 20% of their time on side projects.

What are the drawbacks of 70-20-10 model? ›

Con: It's Not Empirically Proven

The 70:20:10 model doesn't really lend itself to metrics, even in eLearning set-ups. You could claim you learned a task by being exposed to it. But there's no real way to confirm whether it was the online training course or the work exposure that entrenched this skill.

What is an L&D strategy? ›

A learning and development (L&D) strategy sets out the workforce capabilities, skills and competencies the organisation needs, and how they can be developed to ensure a sustainable, successful organisation.

What is developmental learning model? ›

a general approach in education based on the work of Jean Piaget and others, emphasizing logical reasoning and the enhancement of intellectual development. There is an effort to orient school curricula toward helping students acquire operative knowledge.

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