Individual Learning Strategies: Special Assignments

A Special Assignment is a learning strategy in which the individual performs temporary duties on a full-time or part-time basis. These temporary duties may be performed within the individual's current organization or outside the organizational structure. An example of a Special Assignment is being assigned to chair an ad hoc cross-functional team.

	To enhance an individual's knowledge or skills in a particular area.
	To complete tasks or assignments when a mix of people with expertise in different areas is needed.
	To prepare an individual for career advancement or develop specific knowledge or skills.
	To broaden an individual's knowledge of other functions and departments in the organization.
	To motivate and challenge an individual who has been on a job for a long time.

	Link Special Assignments to organizational goals and learning needs.
	Establish expectations and learning goals with the individual prior to the Special Assignment.
	Check with the individual periodically to ensure expectations are being met.
	At the end of the Special Assignment, meet with the individual to discuss lessons learned, how these lessons can be applied to the individual's current duties, and how the individual can educate others about what was learned.

As described below, learning strategies are often used in combination with one another or may be closely linked to one another.

Job Rotations: Job Rotations usually require the employee to suspend his or her current job duties to undertake the rotation. In contrast, Special Assignments may be performed in addition to current job duties. Special Assignments may result in the sharpening of skills whereas the objective of Job Rotation is to broaden skills.

Department of Agriculture - The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS)

NASS uses Special Assignments to enhance individuals' knowledge of agriculture and the agricultural industry. These assignments enable individuals to learn skills necessary to perform the highly technical and specialized work critical to the organization.

Web Resources

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Following are links to the other Individual Learning Strategies:

	Job Rotations
	Coaching
	Mentoring
	Individual Development Plan
	Manager as Teacher
	Learning Groups (Teams)
	Self-Development