HRD3701 Assignment 1 Semester 1
ANSWERS 2026 - Due 25 March 2026
**Question 1:** The South African Board for People Practices (SABPP)
is the only professional body for HR practitioners recognized by the
South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).
**Answer:** True
**Rationale:** SABPP is the statutory professional body for HR in South
Africa, recognized by SAQA to set professional standards and conduct
assessments for HR qualifications.
**Question 2:** The primary purpose of a Learning Needs Analysis
(LNA) is to evaluate the effectiveness of a training program after it has
been delivered.
**Answer:** False
**Rationale:** An LNA is conducted *before* training design to
identify gaps between current and desired performance. Evaluation
happens *after* training via models like Kirkpatrick.
**Question 3:** According to Knowles' Adult Learning Theory
(Andragogy), adult learners are typically self-directed and need to know
why they are learning something.
**Answer:** True
,**Rationale:** Unlike pedagogy (child learning), andragogy assumes
adults are autonomous, goal-oriented, and need to understand the
practical relevance of the training.
**Question 4:** Human Resource Development (HRD) focuses
exclusively on formal classroom training and ignores informal learning
or on-the-job coaching.
**Answer:** False
**Rationale:** Modern HRD includes formal training, but also
encompasses informal learning, mentorship, coaching, and experiential
learning as key components.
**Question 5:** The "Return on Investment" (ROI) level of training
evaluation (Level 5) is easier to calculate than the "Behavior" level
(Level 3).
**Answer:** False
**Rationale:** ROI (Level 5) is the most difficult level to calculate
because it requires isolating the monetary value of training outcomes
from other business factors and converting benefits to financial
metrics.
**Question 6:** Strategic Human Resource Development aligns L&D
activities with the long-term goals and strategy of the organization.
**Answer:** True
,**Rationale:** Strategic HRD ensures that training investments directly
support business objectives like market expansion, succession planning,
or digital transformation.
**Question 7:** The "ADDIE" model in instructional design stands for
Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation.
**Answer:** True
**Rationale:** ADDIE is the foundational framework for creating
effective learning programs, ensuring a systematic flow from identifying
needs to measuring results.
**Question 8:** A "Skills Gap" refers to a situation where an employee
has more skills than the job currently requires.
**Answer:** False
**Rationale:** A skills gap specifically refers to the deficit between the
skills an employee *currently* has and the skills the organization
*needs* them to have to perform effectively.
**Question 9:** The Kirkpatrick Model suggests that "Reaction" (Level
1) is a better indicator of training effectiveness than "Results" (Level 4).
**Answer:** False
**Rationale:** While Level 1 measures happiness/reaction, it is a poor
predictor of effectiveness. Level 4 (Results/Business Impact) is the most
valuable indicator, though hardest to achieve.
, **Question 10:** Socialization and onboarding are HRD processes
designed to integrate new employees into the organizational culture.
**Answer:** True
**Rationale:** Onboarding is a specific HRD intervention that helps
new hires acquire necessary attitudes, behaviors, and knowledge to
become effective organizational members.
**Question 11:** The SABPP HR Management System Standard
requires that all learning interventions must be evaluated for
effectiveness.
**Answer:** True
**Rationale:** The SABPP standard for L&D includes a specific element
on "Evaluation," mandating that organizations assess whether learning
led to changed behavior and improved results.
**Question 12:** "Tacit knowledge" is easily written down and
transferred through a manual or standard operating procedure.
**Answer:** False
**Rationale:** Tacit knowledge is personal, context-specific, and hard
to formalize (e.g., "know-how," intuition). It is usually transferred
through mentorship or storytelling, not documents.
**Question 13:** Coaching typically focuses on long-term personal
development, while mentoring focuses on short-term job performance
correction.