The Six Disciplines of Breakthrough Learning
How to Turn Training and Development into Business Results

4. Edition May 2025
400 Pages, Hardcover
Wiley & Sons Ltd
All-in-one resource to increase effectiveness and ROI of enterprise training and development programs
In The Six Disciplines of Breakthrough Learning: How to Turn Training and Development into Business Results, renowned instructors and consultants Dr. Roy Pollock ,Andrew Jefferson, and Calhoun Wick deliver a complete blueprint to maximize the effectiveness and ROI of training and development programs within any organization. In this newly revised and extensively updated Fourth Edition, readers will find tools, guides, and checklists to implement meaningful strategies immediately, supported by the latest research and new case studies from global companies across industries.
Along with key insight into the craft of instruction, this book details how to talk to the business leaders in a way that gets their attention and earns respect. Some of the topics covered in this book include:
* Defining the business outcomes L&D is expected to deliver and effective management of the learning portfolio
* Delivering for application by utilizing performance appropriate instructional methods, adult learning principles, and logic maps
* Maximizing business impact by driving learning transfer and providing performance support
* "Selling the sizzle" when reporting results and common training evaluation pitfalls to avoid
The Six Disciplines of Breakthrough Learning: How to Turn Training and Development into Business Results is an essential read for learning professionals, including instructors, instructional designers, trainers, training managers, and Chief Learning Officers, as well as business leaders seeking an all-in-one resource to deliver greater value from training and development programs in an increasingly competitive business environment.
Introduction xiii
Core Concepts 1
OVERVIEW OF THE SIX DISCIPLINES 31
D1. Define Business Outcomes 55
D2. Design the Complete Experience 101
D3. Deliver for Application 139
D4. Drive Learning Transfer 185
D5. Deploy Performance Support 223
D6. Document Results 259
Coda 325
Appendix 331
Works Cited 339
Contributors 361
About the Authors 365
About The 6Ds Company 367
Name Index 369
Subject Index 371
ANDREW McK. JEFFERSON, JD, is the Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of the 6Ds Company. He is a popular international speaker and consultant with deep experience in both business management and learning and development.
CALHOUN W. WICK is the Founder and Chairman of Fort Hill Company and advisor to the 6Ds Company. He is a nationally recognized consultant, educator, and researcher who was named "Thought Leader of the Year" by ISA, the Association of Learning Providers.