American Society for Training and Development

Founded in 1944, ASTD is the world's premier professional association and leading resource on workplace learning and performance issues. ASTD provides information, research, analysis and practical information derived from its own research, the knowledge and experience of its members, its conferences, expositions, seminars, publications and the coalitions and partnerships it has built through research and policy work.ASTD's membership includes more than 70,000 people, working in the field of workplace performance in 100 countries worldwide. Its leadership (see ASTD's Board of Directors) and members work in more than 15,000 multinational corporations, small and medium sized businesses, government agencies, colleges and universities.

ASTD. Organizations>Education>Workplace

Build a Business Case for Online Learning Projects

Upper-level decision makers seem to thrive on 'what if?' Here's how it works: Line workers, managers, and independent consultants enthusiastically propose a project, and executives shred it apart with 'what ifs?' and 'have you considereds?' In reality, such questions indicate that a project proposal is incomplete. The people who prepared it may have assumed an overly optimistic or pessimistic result, overlooked relevant alternatives, or may not have considered relevant component costs. And when it comes to technology projects--such as online learning development -- executives may kick 'what if' into high gear. Though the benefits of such projects seem self-evident to the converted, the possibility of a high price tag and organizational disruption sobers many executives considering the online plunge.

Carliner, Saul. ASTD (2000). Articles>Management>Proposals