Employee Development Plan Creating an employee development plan plays a significant role in the success of your employees. The employee development plan is utilized to communicate the organization's goals and accomplish those objectives within reason of the desired expectations. This developmental plan will cover a detailed need analysis broken down into three main components: organizational, team, and task. The learning objectives that helped to outline this plan will also be covered along with the appropriate delivery method. Last it will cover the evaluation criteria necessary to achieve all the tasks and responsibilities related success.

Needs Analysis In order to ensure the employees are successful at T.G. I. Friday’s, the needs analysis process must be performed. According to "How to Conduct a Training Needs Analysis" (n.d.), the process is defined as: "the process or series of activities conducted to identify problems or other issues in the workplace, and to determine whether training is an appropriate response. The needs analysis is usually the first step taken to cause a change. This is mainly because a needs analysis specifically defines the gap between the current and the desired individual and organizational performances.” In the case of the T.G.I. Friday’s organization, the process would include understanding the existing skill set of all employees with relationship to their positions.

The responsibilities of each employee would be reviewed in conjunction with the desired level of service and knowledge of the specific position as it relates to T.G.I. Friday’s mission statement, including its financial goals. Some questions which will be asked will include:
• How the customers are greeted
• How long it takes a party to be seated
• Existing ratings for service, i.e., the time food is prepared, cleanliness, etc. These questions will assist the trainer with devising a plan to increase the customer service level while increasing revenue and ensuring each of the team members are meeting the standards of the T.G.I. Friday’s organization.

Organizational Analysis Organizational analysis is the process which focuses on the cultivation of ongoing maintenance of the workforce, which is completed through the design and structure of an organization in an effort to ensure efficiency of the workforce as well as the relationships and behavior of those individuals within the T.G.I. Friday’s. This process is done based on whether the employees are New Hires, Veteran employees and the actual training program in place for those on track for promotions. The training needs will possibly differ from based on the background of each employee who is to be trained and their status within the organization.

Team Analysis Team analysis is a process where information is gathered based on several areas in order to determine the success of a specified team or group within the organization. An example would be the afternoon or evening shifts at the restaurant. Some of the areas which are reviewed would include the team’s ability to handle a busy shift in an orderly and efficient manner. These issues would be examined based on the income achieved, the number of satisfied customers and the number of customers who were not satisfied. An evaluation of the team leader may reveal his or her ability to lead, i.e., handling issues, taking charge, analyzing problems, staffing adequately, and producing quality work while on shift. How the team is as a unit is a determining factor as well.

Task Analysis Task analysis is the process of reviewing a particular task by dissecting it into steps to ensure the best possible efficiency is being achieved. This process will assist the training team with teaching the skill by use of the best methodology, and ensure the process is efficient. Task analysis will help the trainer with understanding the necessary reinforcement for each task and help with choosing the correct materials, i.e., videos, written literature.

Learning Objectives
A learning objective can be defined as an outcome statement that speaks to what knowledge, skills, and attitudes that a learner should possess upon completing the lesson. It is beneficial to have a learning objective prepared during the planning process for training because, it will serve as a guide to create training material that coincides with the learning objective. In doing so the training can be streamlined to cover only the material that is important to the learning objective, and avoid getting off track.
A server at TGIF has very specific learning objectives that are centered on providing the best customer service. A server is responsible for meeting the needs of the diner from the time they are seated until the end of their visit. It is important that the servers are skilled at communication and possess a customer friendly attitude. To some degree this is a personality trait, but it is possible to train a person on how to best interact with customers. Servers are trained on the proper way to greet and take orders as well as deliver meals, and handle menu alteration request. In addition, servers are trained on keeping things stocked on the floor and in the back such as condiments and silverware. A server must also have a good knowledge of their job including menu items, as diners will often ask for them to suggest something. If a diner has a complaint or a concern the server must be skilled on resolution efforts that will satisfy the diner, and ensure a return visit.

Delivery Method
There are many delivery methods that can be used during the training of the learning objective. TGIF’s uses an on-line program to train their servers. They may also include a class room setting, and videos, and job shadow during the training process. However, the primary delivery method is on-line as it is allows for a greater number of employee’s to be trained at the same time. Also this program allows for tracking of the answers given by the trainees, with an added benefit of convenience as it does not call for an instructor to provide the training.
Evaluation Criteria
Evaluation deign is the determinate of trainings effectiveness. In order for an organization, like TGI Fridays to be competitive in the serve industry it must do all that it can to ensure productive preparation of its employees. Training programs have to be both empowering for the employee and lucrative for the business. Therefore the training program is evaluated by the success of the servers, their attitudes, and their longevity with Fridays. Customer satisfaction is also a determinate of successful trainings.
The service industry is now and has always been a fast paced industry, therefore more aspects of training is as well. Servers are responsible for being fast, friendly, and knowledgeable. In order for TGI Fridays to help ensure the success of the above criteria servers are trained for three weeks with other colleagues on placing and taking orders, doing side work, and understanding the menu items.

While some servers make it out of training successfully, others may find that the hustle and bustle involved may be too much for them. The servers who are successful end up being promoted to bartenders where they obtain more responsibility and then are usually promoted to management. The employees who choose not to follow through as servers may take a job as part of the host staff. All in all the goal of TGI Fridays is to be successful and one way to make that happen is to harbor happy accomplished employees.
Conclusion
“The employee development plan refers to the entire sequence of concurrent activities, initiatives and programs that an organization is involved with to maintain, improve and enhance the skills, capabilities and performance levels of its workforce and other staff members” (Dutta, 2012, para. 1). Establishing this developmental plan ensures open communication, clear expectations, and fulfills organizational objectives. It also “plays a key role in motivating employees about the need to acquire a sharp learning temperament, stay competitive, develop teamwork and sound work ethics, and help meet organizational targets” (Dutta, 2012, para. 4). This outline builds employees with a strong desire to perform excellence with the will to succeed. Overall developing a plan that creates employees with clear understanding of their expectations enhances their skills and abilities and increases their value within the organization.

References

Retrieved online at: http://www.dirjournal.com/guides/how-to-conduct-a-training-needs-analysis/ Dutta, P. (2012). What Is an Employee Development Plan? Retrieved from http://www.ehow.com/about_5161579_employee-development-plan.html