Training Request Intake and Prioritization Kit

Find the real problem behind every "we need training," decide whether training will fix it, and choose what to work on first, with reasons everyone can see.

Who it is for

• A small-business owner whose managers keep asking for "more training"

• An HR generalist or a training person of one who gets requests from every department

• A manager or shift lead who has to decide what to teach the team first

• A training team that needs a fair, shared way to set priorities

• Anyone who has built a course that did not fix the problem it was meant to fix

The problem it solves

Most training requests arrive as a solution ("customer service training") instead of a problem ("customers wait too long at the counter"). When the real cause is a broken process, a missing tool, or nobody noticing good work, training costs time and leaves the problem in place. And when there are more requests than hours, the loudest request often wins. This kit gives you a simple five-step process: take in the request, talk it through, check the cause, score it, and reply with a clear yes, yes with changes, not yet, or not training.

What is inside

Guide and templates (PDF and Word, 20 pages)

• How to use this kit and contents (page 1)

• Part 1. From request to decision: why intake matters, the five steps, who runs it in a small business, an HR role or a training team, and key terms (pages 2 to 3)

• Part 2. Intake form: what each part is for, the template, and a filled-in example from a restaurant kitchen (pages 4 to 6)

• Part 3. Needs conversation guide: how to run a 20 to 30 minute conversation, how to listen for the real cause, the question guide and notes page, and a filled-in example (pages 7 to 10)

• Part 4. "Is training the answer?" check: the four causes (process, tools, motivation, skill), the quick test for skill, four short examples, the template and a filled-in example (pages 11 to 13)

• Part 5. Prioritization scoring: seven criteria with 1 to 3 descriptions, how to set weights, how to draw the capacity line, a printable scoring sheet and a filled-in example (pages 14 to 16)

• Part 6. Saying yes, no or not yet: the four answers, principles, ready wording for each, and a reply email example (pages 17 to 18)

• Part 7. Worked examples: a call center, a warehouse and a dental office, each taken through all five steps (page 19)

• Part 8. Your first month, common mistakes and FAQ (page 20)

Scoring sheet (Excel)

• How to use tab, adjustable criteria and weights, a 40-row request log that totals and ranks requests automatically, drop-down lists for results and decisions, and an example tab with eight scored requests

How to use it

1. Share the intake form with anyone who asks for training.

2. Hold a short needs conversation using the question guide.

3. Run the "Is training the answer?" check with your notes.

4. Add the request to the Excel log and score it; the sheet ranks it for you.

5. Reply using the wording in Part 6, and review the list every two weeks or every month.

Formats and file types

• PDF guide, 20 pages, US Letter

• Microsoft Word file (.docx), fully editable; also opens in Google Docs

• Microsoft Excel file (.xlsx) with formulas, drop-down lists and a filled example; also opens in Google Sheets

Frequently asked questions