In a training hall, a senior manager hands the trainees written accounts of real problems that managers in other organisations have faced. The trainees must find the problems, analyse their causes, develop alternative solutions and pick the best one. Which method of training is this, and to which group of methods does it belong?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Case study, an off-the-job method
Option (1) Coaching, an on-the-job method — Incorrect. In coaching, a superior guides one trainee on the job towards agreed goals. Here the manager only hands out written cases.
Option (2) Case study, an on-the-job method — Incorrect. The method is right, but the group is wrong. The work is done in a training hall, away from the work place, so it is off-the-job.
Option (3) Coaching, an off-the-job method — Incorrect. Both parts are wrong. The method is case study, and coaching itself is an on-the-job method.
Option (4) Case study, an off-the-job method — Correct. Trainees get accounts of real problems managers have faced. They find the problems, analyse causes, develop solutions and pick the best one. This is the case study method. It is used away from the work place, so it is off-the-job.
NCERT (2026-27 Edition): “Training Methods There are various methods of training. These are broadly categorised into two groups: On-the-Job and Off-the-Job methods. On-the-Job methods refer to the methods that are applied to the workplace, while the employee is actually working. Off-the-Job methods are used away from the work place. The former means learning while doing, while the latter means learning before doing.” “Off the Job Methods … (iii) Case Study: Taken from actual experiences of organisations, cases represent attempts to describe, as accurately as possible real problems that managers have faced. Trainees study the cases to determine problems, analyse causes, develop alternative solutions, select what they believe to be the best solution, and implement it.” |