Case: Determining Training Needs at Union Pacific Railroad Union Pacific Railroa
ID: 423157 • Letter: C
Question
Case: Determining Training Needs at Union Pacific Railroad Union Pacific Railroad is the largest railroad in North among railroads in Fortune magazine 's published list America, operating in the western two-thirds of the of America's Most Admired Companies United States. The railroad serves 23 states, linking In an attempt to improve its 70 percent rate of every major West Coast and Gulf Coast port, and pro- timeliness and accuracy of shipping to customers vides service to the East through its four major gate- Union Pacific plans to install computers and satel- ways in Chicago, Memphis, St. Louis, and New lites on the railroad engines, which would give con- Orleans. Additionally, Union Pacific operates key ductors a better ability to communicate and locate North/South corridors, connects with the Canadian railcars that need to be delivered. and Mexican rail systems, and is the only railroad to How would you conduct a needs assessment to serve all six gateways to Mexico. The railroad trans determine what types of training conductors need to ports a large number of products, including chemical, effectively use the new system? coal, food and food products, forest products, grain and grain products, metals and minerals, and automo- biles and parts. Union Pacific has been ranked first Source: Based on D. Goldwasser, "First Things First," Training (January 2001): 88.Explanation / Answer
Ans: Need assessment will help to know the type of training conductors need at Union Pacific Railroad. Need Assessment help to determine need and address the gap between current condition and desired conditions. Need Assessment helps to determine whether training is necessary or not.
There are different types of training needs which are:-
(i) Democratic Needs
(ii) Diagnostics Needs
(iii) Compliance Needs
(iv) Analytical Needs
As per Case, the rail road transports a large number of variety of products including grains, chemicals, metals and automobiles. In order to improve timeliness and accuracy of shipping, Union Pacific plans to install computers and satellites to improve communication.
Hence, here we need to adopt new ways to improve performance. And we have to prevent performance issues and focus on factors that will lead to effective performance. These needs are Diagnostics Needs and Analytical Needs.