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DECONSTRUCTING

70-20-10

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction

The Origins of 70-20-10

A Modern Update: 55-25-20

Unpacking the 55-25-20 Model

An International Perspective on 55-25-20

The Crucible of Effective Training

Summary and Conclusions

About This Research

Author

About Training Industry, Inc. Research

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LIST OF FIGURES & TABLES

Figure 1. Updated General OSF Ratio

Figure 2. OSF Ratios for Managers Versus Direct Reports

Figure 3. Updated Executive OSF Ratio

Figure 4. Boxplots for Updated OSF Ratios

Figure 5. Updated OSF Ratios: International Sample

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INTRODUCTION

The 70-20-10 model for learning and development (L&D) is a commonly used formula within the training profession. The model describes the optimal sources of learning by successful managers, suggesting that individuals obtain knowledge, skills and abilities in their jobs through the following mixture of sources:

• 70 percent from on-the-job experiences

• 20 percent from social sources such as interactions with others

• 10 percent from formal educational events

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An OSF ratio represents the amount of learning from on-the-job, social and formal sources.

“The appeal of the model is the ease with which it provides a shorthand accounting for sources of learning. We call this an OSF ratio, representing the relative amount of learning from on-the-job, social and formal sources.

The 70-20-10 model is considered to be of greatest value as a general guideline for organizations seeking to maximize the effectiveness of their L&D programs through other activities and inputs. The model continues to be widely employed by organizations throughout the world, and as such has become a cornerstone of many L&D initiatives. But could it use an update?

This report explores:

• Where 70-20-10 came from

• What it looks like today: the 55-25-20 model

• The nuances that affect the OSF ratios in the model for different types of employees, across different companies and across different countries

• How the model relates to L&D efforts

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TRAINING INDUSTRY, INC. RESEARCH PARTICIPANT DEMOGRAPHICS

All research findings described within this report are based on Training Industry, Inc. research data collected in 2017 and 2018. The following are general demographics of participants in this research.

(representing 75% of respondents)

1 | Health Care

2 | Technology

3 | Durable Goods

4 | Banking/Finance

5 | Government

6 | Education

7 | Manufacturing

8 | Hospitality

24%

16%

60%Managers

Executives

DirectReports

Job TitlesTop 8 IndustriesCompany Size

1-100

101-500

501-1,000

1,001-5,000

5,001-10,000

10,001-20,000

20,001-50,000

15%

15%

14%

29%

6%

6%

7%

8%

>50,000

Below are general demographics of participants in this research.

Dr. Tom Whelan is the director of corporate research at Training Industry, Inc., where his work focuses on learning and development research to inform workplace training practices. Prior to joining Training Industry, Inc., he worked as an organizational consultant, designing and evaluating selection, training programs, compensation assessments and data collection systems in a variety of industries including

technology, military special operations and pharmaceuticals. Dr. Whelan has published in leading journals and presented at international conferences on topics such as personality assessment, survey research methods, virtual workplaces, and training evaluation and effectiveness. He holds a Ph.D. in industrial-organizational psychology from North Carolina State University.

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AUTHOR

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ABOUT TRAINING INDUSTRY, INC. RESEARCH

New insights create new ways for L&D to do

business. Training Industry, Inc. provides data-

driven analysis and best practices for the

corporate training professional by capturing the

perspectives of learning professionals, learners

and training companies across a diverse array

of industries. Our informational resources are

shared with more than 185,000 monthly website

visitors and 135,000 email subscribers.

The Training Industry, Inc. research team of

experienced analysts relies on rigorous survey

practices, including targeted sampling and

advanced analytics. These practices are based

on validated principles of measurement to

answer both qualitative and quantitative

questions across a variety of research designs,

including market research, buyer personas,

learner impact analysis, competency models and

organizational assessment tools. Our expertise

and audience reach allow us to provide learning

professionals with in-depth market intelligence

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it is headed in the future.

Our research harnesses the collective wisdom

of learning professionals and their unique

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Management (CPTM™) certification program.

We circulate these insights throughout the

training market using content marketing,

including webinars, infographics, email

marketing, and our award-winning magazine

and website.

Recommended citation:

Training Industry, Inc. (2018). Deconstructing 70-

20-10. Retrieved from https://trainingindustry.

com/research/content-development/

deconstructing-70-20-10/.

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