Evolving the design of workplace learning

We see the symptoms of a fundamental design problem in workplace learning and knowledge management efforts. Learning is social; it is constructed in real experience; and it is influenced by the learner's environment (their context). Yet - most organizational learning and learning technology projects miss these considerations.

Purple Line Associates provides consulting and research and thought leadership dedicated to addressing this design problem by helping enterprise leaders and learning practitioners discover new ways to more effectively integrate people, technology and practices.

Consulting and Research

Workplace learning strategy and business cases

An effective workplace learning strategy defines the organizational learning practices and technology investments that will contribute the greatest operational and financial impact to an enterprise's core purpose. Our methodology and experience helps crystallize business value, success metrics and strategic practices. Service offerings >

Workplace learning technologies

The foundation is in place: e-learning infrastructure, collaboration tools, virtual classrooms, knowledge management systems. How can it be leveraged to solve additional workplace learning and knowledge management issues among new groups inside or outside of the organization? Our design approach assesses opportunities to get more out of existing workplace learning technologies. Service offerings >

Sustainable learning environments

Many organizations select core learning technologies -- such as an LMS -- based on near term requirements, thereby minimizing consideration of issues which impact sustainability as the organization evolves. Our approach looks at factors that influence technology adoption and sustainability and then integrates those factors into selection and implementation plans.
Service offerings >

Learning management governance

New workplace learning strategies and technology invariably drive changes in the practice of learning and development within an organization. Defining effective governance practices will contribute to successfully managing these changes and achieving target business goals. Service offerings >

Thought Leadership

Linking academic research and organizational practice

Northwestern University's Center for Learning and Organizational Change is dedicated to developing innovative leaders by integrating theories and practices in learning and development, knowledge management and strategic organizational change. Purple Line Associates brings this thought leadership to clients through the work of Principal Consultant Jeff Merrell.

Jeff's research at Northwestern led to developing a model for using "expertise" as the principal framework for linking individuals, organizations and performance. The first application of this model was in research designed to understand how managers develop expertise in implementing socially responsible business practices. Jeff shares new research, insights and resources in two blogs: Learning/Change/By Design and and Doing Well by Doing Good: Organizational Learning & Social Responsibility.

Recent posts from each blog: