Performance Consulting

Performance Consulting is a strategic approach within learning and development that focuses on improving business results by identifying and addressing the root causes of performance gaps.

Rather than assuming training is the solution, performance consulting evaluates a range of factors that may impact performance, including skills, processes, tools, systems, and workplace environment. The goal is to determine the most effective intervention, whether that involves training, process improvement, performance support, or organizational change.

Performance consulting aligns learning initiatives with measurable business outcomes such as productivity, revenue, quality, and employee effectiveness. It also shifts the role of learning professionals from content providers to strategic partners who diagnose problems and recommend solutions that drive results.

Performance consulting is typically used when:

  • A performance issue persists despite previous training 
  • The root cause of a problem is unclear 
  • Business outcomes are not meeting expectations 
  • Leaders request training, but the underlying issue may be non-training related

See also: 

Instructional Design 

Learning Experience Design 

Training Needs Analysis 

Performance Support

When you have more projects than people™, let TrainingPros provide you with the right consultant to start your project with confidence. Schedule a consultation today. 

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Articles Related to Performance Consulting:

7 Common Misconceptions About Performance Consulting (and What It Actually Is)

7 Common Misconceptions About Performance Consulting (And What It Actually Is) - Trainingpros

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Podcasts Related to Performance Consulting:

Redefining Performance Consulting For The Age Of Ai With Josh Cavalier Of Joshcavalier.ai

11/18/2025

Redefining Performance Consulting for the Age of AI with Josh Cavalier of JoshCavalier.ai

Podcast Summary

Theresa Zeller - Merck - Trainingpros - Learning Leader Spotlight

11/06/2024

Leading Learning Creation for Over 75,000 Employees with Theresa Zeller of Merck

Podcast Summary

Frequently Asked Questions
About Performance Consulting

1. What is performance consulting in L&D?

Performance consulting is a strategic approach where learning professionals partner with business leaders to identify performance gaps, determine root causes, and implement solutions that improve business results.

2. How is performance consulting different from training?

Training assumes a knowledge or skill gap. Performance consulting does not. It evaluates all possible causes of a problem including processes, tools, environment, and leadership and only recommends training if it is truly needed.

3. What does a performance consultant actually do?

A performance consultant:

  • Asks questions to understand business goals 
  • Analyzes performance data and workflows 
  • Identifies root causes of performance gaps 
  • Recommends and helps implement solutions (learning or non-learning) 
  • Measures business impact 

4. When should an organization use performance consulting?

Organizations should use performance consulting when:

  • Training hasn’t solved the problem 
  • The root cause of a performance issue is unclear 
  • Business outcomes (not just learning outcomes) need to improve 
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