Training Systems is a specialised area of expertise when it comes to the Australian Defence learning environment.
Effective learning in this environment requires the application of certain processes that are delivered through educational analysis and evaluation, instructional design models and learning strategies, delivery methods and tools.
The positive experience of learners is constantly at the forefront whilst ensuring workplace performance needs are achieved. The ADF has developed a learning systems model that applies the ADDIE (Analyse, Design, Develop, Implement, and Evaluate) educational model, through the Systems Approach to Defence Learning or SADL.
Steve Mackey is Systematiq’s Training Systems Capability Manager, bringing with him over two decades of experience from the Australian Army.
“Through implementation of the SADL framework, we are able to modernise training course delivery, improve the learning outcomes, while still keeping the students engaged in the courses they undertake.”
Learn more the role SADL and ADDIE play in training systems development here.
What is the SADL framework exactly?
The Systems Approach to Defence Learning is a learning framework used by the Australian Defence Force in all their learning and development areas. The system has 5 distinct phases that are undertaken within a framework of continuous improvement. These are indicated in the diagram below:
Analysis. This aims to determine individual and collective performance needs, based on the capability demand, the tasks involved, and the learning outcomes required. It clearly defines the performance gap between current and desired performance in the workplace.
Design. Curriculum is designed to support each of the tasks identified during the analysis phase. The building blocks of the curriculum are learning outcomes which describe the conditions, standards, delivery methods, and assessment criteria required to close the performance gap.
Development. Learning support materials, including e-Learning products, are developed in this phase, aligning with the previously designed learning outcomes. Learning environments and exercise scenarios are also confirmed.
Implementation. This involves the delivery of training events, including the preparation, ongoing programming, administration, conduct, assessment and recording of training. It also includes the learning review process.
Evaluation. This phase determines whether learning has been achieved, how well training has transferred into the workplace and establishing if the performance gap has been resolved.
What is the benefit of SADL?
The SADL model is designed to enable change and improvement to the way learning is designed and delivered to ADF personnel. The inputs and outputs of each phase are reviewed, evaluated, and revised as necessary. This process allows changes to be made to learning activities as a result of internal or external evaluation, lessons, and force modernisation activities.
Steve Mackey is Systematiq’s Training Systems Capability Manager, bringing with him over two decades of experience from the Australian Army.
“SADL is a very efficient learning methodology that makes working on a new project less ambiguous. Right at the onset, it helps us understand how many resources it would take to complete the task and how long it would take to get the job done.”
Why was it developed?
The Systems Approach to Defence Learning (SADL) was designed to ensure that all Defence workforce performance requirements are correctly specified and supported by the most cost-effective learning strategies. Compliance with the SADL ensures that responsibilities and accountabilities are well-defined, that Defence appointments responsible for every process and decision are clear, and their actions and decisions are correctly documented. – Department of Defence 2013, Defence Learning Manual, CoA.
In order to prepare combat-capable forces, leaders must systematically analyse the training needs and then design and develop training that is focused clearly on achieving specific outcomes.
Force leaders must ensure that training is developed to integrate lessons from previous operations and training, and that rigour is applied to capturing lessons through relevant review processes. By building in a constant improvement methodology, this captures changes in the environment and allows for constant improvement to always remain relevant.
How is it implemented? Examples of SADL in the training environment
As the Training Systems Manager, Steve oversees a large team of training evaluators, developers, designers, and delivery practitioners, to ensure our projects are executed smoothly to meet the specific needs of clients. Innovation, diversity and collaboration lies at the core of this.
“We work hard to collaborate and build great relationships with our clients,” he notes. “This lets us deliver to a high standard across all aspects of training consultation and delivery, and ensures our clients achieve the outcomes they are looking for with regards to improved training outcomes.”
Examples of how the SADL framework has been used can be demonstrated by some projects that Systematiq have been involved with directly.
Signals Corps Training
Our practitioners utilised the SADL framework for a project with Army Headquarters (AHQ) to streamline practices and increase efficiencies in course delivery.
AHQ was looking for a modernised way of delivering a particular course within the Signals Corps Training continuum. Systematiq were tasked with the responsibility of bringing changes to the residential training course in Melbourne that wasn’t achieving the desired outcome. The students who registered for the course found the requirement of being away from home for the 6-month training period, extremely difficult.
To achieve the results set, the team undertook intensive analysis to offer several solutions to the client. Employing the use of the SADL methodology was key to ensuring positive results throughout the entire project.
This approach allowed Systematiq to better understand the issues around extended centralised residential training for the Subject 4 Corporal ECN 665 course and explore solutions to deliver the curriculum remotely, by utilising Technology-Enabled Learning (TEL).
The final solution offered to the AHQ included a fully distributed and flexible attainment delivery
method for the course that met the client’s strategic goals for Army in Motion.
Army Logistics Training Centre (ALTC)
The Army Logistic Training Centre (ALTC) consists of a number of Training Establishments that deliver trade and career courses for ADF officers and soldiers for technical trade, specialist health, logistics, and military transport training.
The Workforce and Training Group required an evaluation workforce to deliver workplace training evaluation under the SADL framework in order to continually update and improve its training outcomes.
ALTC needed to place greater emphasis on evaluating its training innovation, to ensure it is continually refined to support Army’s needs to achieving a Future Ready Training System (FRTS).
Systematiq mobilised a team to evaluate the courses. ADF Learning Management Packages (LMPs) for each course containing the course curriculum were evaluated, including learning and assessment information, learning review and evaluation strategies.
This evaluation work improves our war fighters’ preparation by ensuring that training remains effective in addressing workplace performance requirements. It also ensures that training continues to modernise to reflect changing force structures and the contemporary operating environment.
Headquarters Defence Command Support Training Centre (DCSTC)
HQ DCSTC required support with their Training Modernisation program, to enhance their Future Ready Training Systems. Systematiq provided expertise to deliver solutions in the Design, Develop, and Evaluate phases of the SADL Framework.
Additionally, Systematiq provided e-Learning content specialists to develop engaging learning materials as an outcome of the design and development requirements and modernise the training material to provide flexible learning options.
This included the evaluation and development of learning support material to create blended learning products and upskill instructors to deliver engaging, facilitated self-paced training through technology enabled learning.
As a result, DCSTC have been able to increase capacity to meet emerging capabilities needs and training modernisation to provide effective, engaging learning material to our armed forces personnel across a broad geographical region.
If you are looking for experts in SADL methodology for your training needs, get in touch with one of our Defence Business Development Team today.
