Action mapping is an instructional design process that focuses on creating effective and learner-centered training programs or learning experiences. It was developed by Cathy Moore, an instructional designer and consultant. The goal of action mapping is to ensure that learning interventions directly contribute to solving real-world problems or achieving specific performance goals. Here's an overview of how action mapping works and how it is typically used:

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Key Components of Action Mapping:

1. Business Goal: The process starts by identifying a clear business goal or performance objective. This could be a problem that needs solving, a task that needs improvement, or a specific outcome that needs to be achieved.

2. Performance Gap Analysis: Once the business goal is defined, there's an analysis of the current performance to identify the gap between the current state and the desired state. This helps in understanding what learners need to know and do to bridge that gap.

3. Define Actions, Decisions, and Skills: The focus shifts to defining the actions, decisions, and skills that learners need to perform to achieve the desired outcome. This step ensures that the learning content directly supports the required on-the-job performance.

4. Create Learning Objectives: Learning objectives are then developed based on the identified actions, decisions, and skills. These objectives are specific, measurable, and aligned with the overall business goal.

5. Design Learning Activities: Rather than focusing solely on information delivery, action mapping emphasises the creation of realistic, scenario-based learning activities. These activities simulate the challenges and decisions that learners will face in the real-world context.

6. Build Support Resources: In addition to the core learning activities, support resources are created. These resources provide learners with on-the-job tools, job aids, or additional information to help them apply what they've learned.

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How Action Mapping is Used:

1. Training Design: Action mapping is primarily used in instructional design to create targeted and practical training programs. By focusing on the actions and decisions that lead to the desired performance, training becomes more relevant and effective.

2. Performance Support: The process extends beyond formal training to include the development of performance support materials. These resources are designed to assist learners in applying their knowledge on the job, reinforcing the learning experience.

3. Decision-Making Scenarios: Action mapping often involves the creation of decision-making scenarios. These scenarios help learners practice and reinforce their skills in a context that mirrors real-world challenges.

4. Continuous Improvement: Action mapping encourages an iterative approach to training development. By continually assessing performance and refining learning materials, organizations can adapt to changing needs and ensure ongoing effectiveness.

In summary, action mapping is a structured approach to instructional design that places a strong emphasis on addressing real-world performance challenges. By focusing on actions, decisions, and practical skills, it aims to create learning experiences that directly contribute to achieving business goals.

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