SDF Module 1: How to Read the Business Like an SDF
Your starting point for developing real training strategy — not just responding to manager requests.
In most organisations, SDFs are expected to capture training needs — but those needs are often vague, opinion-based, or incomplete. This module gives you the confidence and clarity to identify learning needs based on business signals, not guesswork.
🎯 Use this module if you’re an SDF, HR professional, or learning coordinator tasked with understanding what training the organisation really needs — and where to start.
Summary / Objectives :
Training needs aren’t “suggested” — they’re discovered.
In this module, you’ll learn how to observe business patterns, identify root causes, and confidently distinguish between real development opportunities and management deflections.
📌 What You’ll Learn:
🔹 What Drives Real Training Needs
Business growth and strategic changes
Performance reviews and compliance failures
New systems or shifting team dynamics
🔹 Why Managers Aren’t Always Right
Training as avoidance: misconduct, underperformance, deflection
Group training vs individual responsibility
Your role as the expert, not the assistant
🔹 Building a Training Trigger Framework
The difference between skills, systems, and will
Questions to ask managers
Capturing training needs in a way that makes sense
🛠 Common Mistakes to Avoid:
Accepting vague “the team needs soft skills” requests
Skipping the root-cause analysis
Forgetting that training is a business tool — not a feel-good activity
🧩 What to Do Next:
Download the Training Signals Checklist
Use the Training Trigger Assessment Tool
Watch Module 2: Where Skills Are — and Aren’t
Watch the Training
Training Signals Checklist
Checklist of events and signals that might indicate a training need (e.g. new systems, poor audit results, business changes).
Training Trigger Assessment Tool
Decision flowchart or form to evaluate whether a perceived issue is training-related or not.
SDF Conversation Planner
Question prompts to guide discussions with managers requesting training.