Short Description

It is a development model that suggests that people obtain 70% of their knowledge from job-related experiences, 20% from interactions with others, and 10% from formal educational events (courses and readings). The 70:20:10 model of learning was developed by Morgan McCall, Robert Eichinger and Michael Lombardo at the Center for Creative Leadership in North Carolina in the mid-1990s.

Tools

It does not need a digital tool but the 10% of educational events can also draw on online materials and courses.

Scenario

The model’s creators hold that hands-on experience (the 70 percent) is the most beneficial for employees because it enables them to discover and refine their job-related skills, make decisions, address challenges and interact with influential people such as bosses and mentors within work settings. They also learn from their mistakes and receive immediate feedback on their performance.

Employees learn from others (the 20 percent) through a variety of activities that include social learning, coaching, mentoring, collaborative learning and other methods of interaction with peers. Encouragement and feedback are prime benefits of this valuable learning approach.

The formula holds that only 10 percent of professional development optimally comes from formal traditional courseware instruction and other educational events, a position that typically surprises practitioners from academic backgrounds.

Assessment

Open question No specific form of assessment.

Additional Resources

Sprouts Lab – The 70:20:10 model eLearning – guide and eBook
Training – Industry – The 70-20-10 Model for Learning and Development

Connection with other methods

Mentoring, coaching and counselling