Learning Teams

Learn how work really happens and develop worker-driven solutions to improve it

HOP recognises that workers are the experts in how work gets done – and how they can adapt to the ever-changing complexities of it

Learning Teams provide a platform for those who are closest to the front-line work of your organisation to provide valuable insights into how work really gets done, and be part of ways to improve it. They are a relatively simple method of gathering a lot of rich information on current operations, and better understand how people and systems perform within your organisation’s context.

What are Learning Teams?

Learning Teams are a relatively short activity of facilitated conversations with field experts, providing time for front-line workers to share their insights, experiences, and stories about work. The result is a holistic understanding of how they navigate everyday operations, with a positive focus on building system resilience.

Naturally, the context-rich information gained from this process identifies the real problems of work – which often differ to what we think they are. We learn the realities of where our systems may be brittle, balanced against what is working well. As a result, we can foster decisions and actions that are relevant to building sustainable system resilience. Learning Teams provide a collaborative approach to improve and enhance operations, capacity, and rigour around critical controls.

When to use Learning Teams

Learning Teams can be useful in incident response activities. However, without a doubt, the true strength of these activities comes from focus on normal operations – learning how day-to-day work really gets done.

Benefits of Learning Teams

Learning Teams generate reports and actions much like traditional safety activity methods. The real benefits, however, are seen in the engagement and commitment generated. Unquestionably, there is a basic human need to be heard, understood, and included. Learning Teams provide a platform for this to happen.

The stories shared post-Learning Team sessions can be transformational. The depth of learning and insight from the process enables better comprehension of problems, which in turn, creates effective solutions and allows for informed decision-making.

Getting started

It’s important to have a foundational understanding and acceptance of the HOP principles before introducing Learning Teams in your organisation. Learning Teams require active leadership involvement through sponsorship, as well as trained Facilitators. For success of a Learning Team it is essential that we provide an environment in which frontline workers can share openly. This is achieved through consistent application of the HOP principles both during the Learning Team, as well as in everyday work. If you are starting out with Learning Teams, here are some steps to kickstart your journey.

Learning Teams Training

View the 3 Day Course

HOPLAB provides comprehensive training in HOP and Learning Teams. Our 3 Day course will give you and your team the confidence and practical skills to begin running Learning Teams in your organisation. Training is available publicly and in-house by arrangement or as part of a wider HOP commitment.

Learning Teams Facilitation & Coaching

Learn More

Whether you are looking for long-term support with Learning Teams or short-term assistance while your own team builds confidence and capability, our experienced HOP team can support in the facilitation of Learning Teams at your organisation. This can either be as an independent facilitator or co-facilitation with your internal facilitators. Having the involvement of an independent consultant can:

Provide an impartial perspective. This significantly benefits by remaining curious, and limits the effects of biases and preconceptions.
Gain insights that may not be readily shared internally. (This is particularly the case in the early stages of HOP and Learning Teams integration)
Coach internal facilitators to learn and improve by doing – when they are new to the process, and as they become comfortable with the approach
Share insights on the successes and hurdles from their experience.

Learning Teams Pilot Programs

View Pilot Program

There is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to Learning Teams. Determining how they will best work within your specific organisational context can involve trial and error.

A pilot program allows for this necessary experimentation on a smaller scale. This can support greater success in building competence, confidence and capacity.