The external and internal context.

The practice of designing, delivering and evaluating learning and development occurs primarily in organisational contexts. It is therefore necessary for practitioners to have an understanding of factors influencing those contexts. This chapter will examine and analyse the role and impact of external factors such as economic, political and legislative conditions and internal factors such as organisational plans and priorities, learning climate and resource availability. Developments in ICT and the opportunities and limitations of these for design and delivery of learning and development will also be explored. Finally, external and internal barriers, inhibitors and facilitators of learning and development will be identified and discussed.