In my dissertation work, the group I am studying expressed their frustration at only having performance standards as their (sometimes difficult) learning to work together has given insights into the content they are teaching, their "students" and alternative approaches that don't fall under the performance standards. Yes, they are meeting standards, but the richness of their learning and what they can pass on to others is not being measured.

I also wonder at letting the workers set their own learning goals as many will focus on their own personal needs (outside of the organization, as Stephen points out, to further their own carrier) perhaps being myopic in what they need. Perhaps a better model would be one of learning brokerage, in which "experts" identified what was lacking on an organizational and job title level (an accountant should need to be able to do X,Y, Z) and the individual chooses from a menu of learning options that will allow them to get to that level based on their individual needs and preferences.