Transforming Compliance Training With Microlearning

An article by Navex highlights a challenge for compliance teams: If new information is not revisited, 50% of employees forget it within a day, and over 90% within a month. This is particularly concerning in an era of information overload, where competing priorities often push compliance training to the margins. The article suggests microlearning as a targeted, efficient solution to this issue, enabling compliance teams to deliver concise, impactful training that aligns with the fast-paced realities of modern workplaces.

Microlearning breaks traditional compliance training into short, digestible modules—often five to ten minutes long—designed for quick consumption and retention. This approach is particularly effective in compliance, where regulatory requirements evolve rapidly. Instead of overhauling entire training programs, compliance teams can deploy microlearning updates to address specific changes, ensuring employees stay informed without disrupting workflows.

The article notes studies that underscore the benefits of microlearning. Research by Emerson and Berge (2018) found that employees using “just-in-time” microlearning retained information better than those undergoing traditional e-learning. This incremental approach is invaluable for compliance, where individual knowledge levels vary. It also enables personalization, meeting employees’ unique learning needs, and reinforcing key concepts over time.

Microlearning enhances performance and workplace culture as well. For sensitive topics like harassment or whistleblowing, integrating microlearning with other training formats fosters a collective understanding critical to building ethical workplaces. Moreover, microlearning’s adaptability addresses situational knowledge gaps, offering employees immediate, practical answers—for example, a brief module on holiday gifting policies.

Finally, microlearning is cost-effective and flexible. Shorter modules are easier to produce and integrate into broader compliance programs. Formats such as interactive videos, quizzes, and flashcards cater to diverse learning preferences while aligning with modern attention spans. By embedding microlearning into a blended learning strategy, organizations can create a dynamic, intuitive, and enduring culture of compliance.