Instructional Blueprinting: a systems engineering approach to workforce development

Summary form only given. Beginning with a brief description of how the principles of systems engineering can be used to develop instructional processes, the paper goes on to discuss how some course development and training for the work force in the 21st century will evolve in the light of new technologies and distance learning. The new methodology for developing training solutions-Instructional Blueprinting-has led to the incorporation of new media and techniques for military training, and to the Army's Classroom XXI. The use of the same methodology is illustrated to develop the right solutions to the complex issues of training a maintenance workforce in both the military and private industry. Instructional Blueprinting still relies on a needs analysis, review of policies, procedures and previous methods to correct deficiencies in training. It then proceeds further to identify and determine the technology needed and the logistics necessary to maintain and upgrade the new training system. Because the military services' training needs have increased at the same time as funds and personnel have been cut, they have begun their long-term program of blueprinting training for distance learning applications.