Dutch Navy

Dutch Navy Explores Workflow Learning with the 5 Moments of Need®

The Dutch Navy is dedicated to ensuring security at sea and from the sea, with its fleet and marines deployed globally. They assist with crisis management operations, humanitarian aid missions, and disaster relief, both in the Netherlands and abroad. The foundation of their work lies in personnel readiness*; continuous learning is essential. Currently, most training programs rely on traditional learning solutions, such as classroom training that takes personnel away from the workplace. The Royal Netherlands Navy aims to change this by exploring how to make knowledge and information accessible anytime and anywhere.

In an informative session with Xprtise, the Navy, along with a team of training advisors, began exploring the possibilities of the 5 Moments of Need® methodology. Moritz Feitsma, training advisor at the Ministry of Defence, said: “We reached out to Xprtise because we wanted to explore how we could facilitate what we do today in a new way, leading to innovative learning solutions and improved performance. These solutions are currently mostly focused on traditional learning approaches, such as classroom-based training. There are also organizational-wide new developments in the qualification chain for individual personnel readiness. It’s time for us to explore the possibilities of the 5 Moments of Need®.”

Getting Started

After several discussions, including with Bob Mosher, the founder of the 5 Moments of Need® methodology, and representatives from the US Navy, the Navy decided to start with an in-company 5 Moments of Need® Designer Certificate program. Five employees participated in this program, working on their own Proof of Concept (PoC). Patrick Bliekendaal, training advisor at the Ministry of Defence, explained: “The PoC was meant to provide clarity on:

What is ‘need to know’ to perform qualified tasks?
What is mainly included in performance support?
What can we offer our end users anytime and anywhere? So: ‘just in time’, ‘just in place’, ‘just as needed.’

This way, we can both improve retention after training and bring information availability directly to the workplace. In short: what challenges do we face? What fits into our processes? And what else do we need to make workflow learning a success?”

Thanks to the PoC, the Dutch Navy gained a thorough understanding of the 5 Moments of Need® methodology, learning how to apply it. Patrick added: “Our goal was to investigate how the methodology fits within our existing processes and what is needed to implement it successfully.”

More Measurable Performance

The five participants in the first in-company program worked on two distinct projects to experience the impact of workflow learning. One project focused on the Botteliers, logistics personnel responsible for purchasing and managing food and drink supplies on the ship, and the other on the Hofmeesters, non-commissioned officers in the Logistics Support Service who serve meals aboard the ship. This new way of working proved successful. Stakeholders are enthusiastic, and based on this success, a PoC was developed to inform other colleagues within the Navy about the methodology. The next challenge is to continue expanding. Moritz commented: “These kinds of processes don’t happen overnight, but the beginning is there. I’m confident this way of learning and development will help us achieve better (and more measurable) performance from our naval colleagues.”

In addition to the projects for the Botteliers and Hofmeesters, a second group of participants worked on projects related to the Vertical Launch System (weapon system) and the Shipboard Firefighting Action Plan (LAP). There is also interest in applying this methodology to other parts of the Ministry of Defence, with initial steps being taken.

Sustained Major Changes and Higher Performance

Xprtise believes in the power of the 5 Moments of Need® approach and has already facilitated many successful implementations using this methodology. These implementations have led to sustained major changes and improved performance in both large and small national and international organizations. Check out our inspiring cases to learn more about the methodology and the results.

*Personnel readiness is the degree to which units have sufficient qualified personnel to carry out their primary tasks.

Ready to Get Started with the 5 Moments of Need® Methodology?

Are you interested in creating innovative workflow learning solutions and making workplace learning a reality, or would you like to participate in the 5 Moments of Need® Designer Certificate program? Contact us to discuss how the 5 Moments of Need® methodology can be applied in your organization.