2-Day Operational Learning Workshop

Build Operational Learning skills in practice

This practical, guided workshop is the ideal follow-on training for teams applying and implementing HOP principles in their workplace. Develop practical skills that support learning, and identify opportunities to strengthen Operational Learning within your team and organisation.

Duration: 2 Days
Location: In-house, by arrangement
Delivery: Face-to-Face

Suitable for: Small teams responsible for HOP implementation, learning and system improvement
Course Investment:
Contact us for a quote

Workshop Overview

Operational Learning is at the heart of Human and Organisational Performance (HOP). Rather than relying solely on investigations after something goes wrong, organisations that develop strong Operational Learning capability continuously learn from everyday work, adapting and improving before incidents occur.

This practical two-day workshop equips participants with the mindset, skills and tools to embed Operational Learning into the way work is led, managed and improved. Through discussion, practical exercises and real workplace examples, participants will build confidence in facilitating learning conversations, understanding work as it is really done, and applying Operational Learning techniques within their own organisation.

Participants will leave with a practical understanding of Operational Learning, improved facilitation skills, and a toolkit of approaches they can immediately apply to strengthen learning, improve system performance, and support a more adaptive, resilient organisation.

Build the capability to learn from work, strengthen performance, and create meaningful organisational improvement.

Workshop Program

Day 1: Building Foundations & Capability

Participants begin by refreshing the key principles of HOP and Operational Learning, creating a shared understanding and common language before developing the practical skills that underpin effective learning.

Building Foundations: HOP & Operational Learning Refresher

Refresh key HOP principles
Reconnect with core Operational Learning concepts
Establish shared language and expectations

Building Capacity: Operational Learning Skills in Practice

What do we mean by learning
Practical skills that support learning in any role
Strengthening operational learning capability through conversations and curiosity

Day 2: Applying Operational Learning

The second day focuses on practical application, helping participants integrate Operational Learning methods into existing work, introducing new tools and approaches that can be used immediately.

Application: Operational Learning Approaches & Tools

Embedding learning into existing meetings, observations and operational activities
Introducing practical Operational Learning tools
Evolving event learning and investigation practices to generate deeper organisational learning

Who is the Operational Learning Workshop for?

This workshop is designed for Safety, HSE and Operational leaders, and their teams, who develop and deliver safety assurance activities within their organisation.

It is designed as follow-on training for professionals who have completed previous HOP Fundamentals or HOP & Learning Teams training, with a focus on practical skill development.

In-House Delivery

This workshop is designed for in-house delivery, for up to 12 participants.

It is ideally suited to teams that are implementing HOP in their workplace, looking for practical approaches to elevate HOP integration within existing practices and safety activites.

Talk to us about delivering this practical workshop in-person at your workplace.

About HOPLAB

HOPLAB has been supporting organisations to adopt HOP and Operational Learning since 2017.

Our HOP Fundamentals and HOP & Learning Teams courses were the first in Australia and New Zealand, and have now grown to attract a global audience of safety professionals interested in learning the foundations of HOP.

We work with each organisation to understand how work happens and guide decision makers to reflect, learn and grow – harnessing the potential that already exists within its people. Because of that, we can offer a unique perspective and a more organic approach that drives more sustainable results.

Phone: +61 7 5533 9988

Email: admin@southpac.biz

What is Operational Learning?

Operational Learning is a practical approach to understanding how work is really performed so organisations can continuously improve safety, performance and resilience. It focuses on learning from both everyday work and operational events, helping organisations identify opportunities for improvement by engaging the people closest to the work.

What will I learn in the Operational Learning workshop?

You'll develop a practical understanding of Operational Learning and learn how to build learning capability within your organisation. The workshop covers the skills, approaches and tools that help organisations better understand everyday work, strengthen learning from events, and improve operational performance.

Do I need prior HOP training to attend?

As a follow-on course from our HOP Fundamentals and HOP & Learning Teams training, it is recommended that attendees have previously attending one or both of these courses to ensure a foundational understanding of Human and Organisational Performance. The workshop begins with a refresher of the key HOP principles and Operational Learning concepts before progressing into more advanced practical application.

How is this workshop different from the HOP & Learning Teams course?

While the HOP & Learning Teams course focuses heavily on Learning Teams as a specific Operational Learning method, this workshop takes a broader view of Operational Learning. It explores how learning can be embedded into existing work, introduces a range of practical learning activities and tools, and helps participants evolve their current event learning and investigation practices.

What practical skills will I gain?

Participants will learn how to facilitate better learning conversations, ask more effective questions, identify opportunities to learn from everyday work, introduce practical operational learning activities, and apply approaches that strengthen organisational learning over time.

Will the workshop help improve our investigation process?

Yes. A key focus of the workshop is evolving traditional investigation practices towards event learning. Rather than simply identifying causes and corrective actions, participants will learn approaches that generate deeper insights into how work is performed, where meaningful improvements can be made, and ensuring front-line workers become part of the solution.