I. What is learning in the flow of work (LIFOW) and why is it important now?
In today's fast-paced work environment, the pursuit of knowledge is not just a luxury but a necessity for maintaining competitiveness. However, embedding a culture of learning within the fabric of daily work routines presents a formidable challenge.
Coined by Josh Bersin (2018), the concept of learning in the flow of work emerged in response to the perennial struggle of finding time for learning amidst pressing job responsibilities. Bersin's research underscores a stark reality—the average employee has a mere 24 minutes per week to dedicate to learning endeavors. Hence, the imperative to seamlessly integrate learning into the very fabric of work routines becomes not merely a choice but a strategic imperative.
In this white paper, we delve into the intersection of curiosity and technology as catalysts for driving learning in the flow of work. By embracing this transformative approach to learning delivery, individuals and organizations alike can unlock this powerful source of value in today's ever-evolving marketplace.
Imagine a situation where a laboratory technician is engaged in their usual experiments. They might be donning a VR headset or, more likely, augmented spectacles. Whatever the device, it is intelligent, aware of the process, and capable of flowing useful information, process videos, and research that may assist or richly augment the process for the technician.
Imagine a sandwich shop where up-to-the-second predictive information is presented about what sandwiches to prepare, augmented with videos of how to prepare and present. New recipes can be instantly implemented. New skills can be offered for immediate learning—from management accounting, working with customers, leading teams, and managing a shop.
As employees encounter challenges and new information, they are learning by doing. This seamless integration of learning into the flow of work optimizes the learning process, allowing individuals to cycle through inquiry, learning, and reinforcement in a dynamic work environment.
The technology required for this idea has been accelerated by the advent of AI (artificial intelligence) apps. Not only is now much easier for information systems to process data from external expert sources, but AI is also able to provide contextually relevant information based on being able to identify context and where a person might be in a process. This information may be both broad and specific.
To enable the shift to learning in the flow of work, Learning and Development (L&D) professionals are compelled to rethink traditional learning methodologies, shifting from compartmentalized modules to fostering a pervasive culture of curiosity. Yet, achieving this cultural transformation necessitates more than just altering ways of working across organizational tiers; it demands a technological infrastructure and app ecosystem to support it.
Despite the initial challenges inherent in this shift, the rewards for both individuals and organizations are substantial. For individuals, learning in the flow of work increases “employability and career resilience.” Meanwhile, for organizations, learning in the flow of work “[increases] their ability to respond to rapid changes and compete in the market” (Tupper, et. al., 2023).
