Selecting the most effective and appropriate delivery system for the successful implementation of a training project is often an overwhelming task. Many of the existing delivery system selection models available to the training professional are outdated, and do not represent the currently available delivery system options. Electronic technology advancements, and their application to training are bringing complex new media choices to the training professional. Distance learning delivery systems represented in this model include satellite networks, teleconferencing, Internet/intranet networks, desktop multimedia, electronic performance support systems (EPSS), transportable audio/video (i.e., systems relying primarily on physically transportable audio- and videotaped materials), collaborative technologies, and the electronically enhanced classroom.
This model narrows the choices to the system most likely to be educationally, economically, and technologically appropriate. After establishing a working taxonomy, the model recommends four stages of activity. The stages include: 1) The assessment of important overall factors; 2) Rating the importance of many learning system attributes to the training project; 3) Selecting the system that most ideally provides the attributes the model's user has rated important; and finally, 4) Validating the selection by reviewing the final choice against the first stage's overall factors.