Case Study

Transforming Learning and Efficiency at NORR: Growth with Pinnacle Series

Over the past few years, NORR has embarked on a transformative journey in learning and development through the implementation of Pinnacle Series and KnowledgeSmart. As a globally recognized architectural, engineering, and interior design firm, NORR has always been committed to innovation and excellence. Leveraging these tools has been pivotal in enabling the organization to upskill its global workforce, increase collaboration, and optimize project delivery. However, this journey also presents an exciting opportunity to fully cultivate a robust learning culture, positioning NORR to further distinguish itself and thrive in an increasingly competitive landscape.

NORR Website
NORR LinkedIn

Praising Progress

Since the adoption of Pinnacle Series, NORR has witnessed achievements in training engagement and knowledge-sharing across the organization. And with a recent overview of the last 12 months, these tools paint a picture of growth, adaptability, and potential, including: 

1. Learning Path Progress: Over the last year, NORR’s workforce has shown significant engagement: 

  • 193 employees accessed 101 learning paths and up to 780 courses, showcasing a commitment to upskilling across the organization. 
  • The 32% completion rate highlights their dedication to developing new skills and knowledge even during busy schedules and project deliverables. 

2. Enrollment Insights 

  • Since the deployment of Pinnacle Series three years ago, NORR attracted 288 unique learners to 757 unique courses and 2,465 enrollments, demonstrating proof to the diverse opportunities available to employees. 

3. Course Completion Highlights 

  • Popular courses such as Introduction to Revit, and Revit Essential Skills, Architectural Project Setup, Schematic Floor Plans, Doors, Windows and Openings, and Deliverables courses consistently ranked as top performers, with employees collectively dedicating over 800 hours to training. This significant time investment demonstrates NORR’s emphasis on empowering their teams through education, especially on key tools such as Revit. 

 4. Expansion of Course Offerings 

  • What began as a focused initiative to upskill teams on Revit evolved into a comprehensive online training program. NORR expanded their course library to include training modules for a variety of tools, such as Microsoft Office, Bentley software, Bluebeam, Chaos Enscape and McNeel Rhino/Grasshopper, catering to the diverse needs of their teams and equipping them with the skills necessary to excel across multiple platforms and departments. 

5. Custom In-House Learning Paths  

  • NORR is developing tailored in-house learning paths, courses, workflows, documents, and videos designed to support onboarding, enforce procedures and standards, and deliver specialized and advanced training—further demonstrating their commitment to continuous learning and operational excellence.

Overcoming Challenges and Unlocking Opportunities 

Every great journey comes with its hurdles, and NORR’s pursuit of a stronger learning culture is no exception. Alongside significant progress, the organization encountered challenges that brought forward new opportunities for growth. These obstacles included initial adoption barriers, budget constraints, and underutilized licenses, which offered critical insights into how NORR can fine-tune its approach for even greater impact. 

The shift to remote and flexible work, with roughly 60-70% of employees operating outside traditional office environments, reshaped the training landscape. In-person sessions were no longer practical, prompting a move toward flexible, scalable online solutions. This shift opened the door for NORR to explore long-term, sustainable learning strategies that align with economic priorities like enhanced ROI, cost efficiency, and team productivity. 

NORR’s response to these challenges has laid a foundation for the future. The organization has made strides by: 

  1. Categorizing employees into tailored training groups: from beginners to advanced learners eager to upskill. 
  2. Offering diverse learning paths and fostering a culture of continuous improvement that resonates across the workforce. 
  3. Demonstrating the value of these tools by linking training directly to employee growth and long-term organizational success. 

By embracing these opportunities, NORR is not just addressing challenges but leveraging them to create a strategic vision that will propel the organization forward. 

Recommendations for Sustained Success  

To ensure continued progress and optimization, NORR can leverage their impact through three keyways: 

  1. Enhance Training Engagement: Introduce incentives and gamification to motivate participation. For example, recognition programs for top learners could highlight the importance of continuous development. 
  2. Tie Training Outcomes to Business Goals: Align learning initiatives with individual and team performance evaluations to demonstrate measurable business impact. Highlight the connection between skills development and improved project delivery. 
  3. Measure and Showcase ROI: Regularly assess how training impacts project efficiency, team productivity, and client satisfaction. Share success stories internally and externally to build momentum and secure stakeholder support. 

Future-state for NORR and Building a Culture of Learning 

NORR’s commitment to investing in employee skills through Pinnacle Series and KnowledgeSmart goes beyond training—it’s a strategic move to enhance project delivery and foster innovation. By equipping employees with key skills, NORR has empowered its teams to deliver higher-quality work, reduce inefficiencies, and collaborate more effectively. 

Skilled employees don’t just rely on the tools provided—they explore new techniques, adopt best practices, and bring fresh insights that elevate project outcomes. By positioning learning as a catalyst for growth, NORR is creating a workforce that can adapt to emerging challenges, leverage cutting-edge technologies, and drive long-term success. 

This future-forward approach ensures NORR remains not just a leader in the architecture, engineering, and design industry but also a model for how investing in people leads to measurable business impact and sustained competitive advantage. 

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