Royal Netherlands Navy Explores Workplace Learning with the 5 Moments of Need®

The Royal Netherlands Navy, responsible for safety and humanitarian aid at sea globally, is redefining its training approach to ensure personnel readiness. Traditionally reliant on classroom-based learning, the Navy aims to transition toward workplace learning solutions that make knowledge and support accessible anytime, anywhere.
Laying the Foundation for Change
To explore innovative learning solutions, the Navy partnered with Xprtise to evaluate the 5 Moments of Need® methodology. This approach supports learning and performance in real-time, helping personnel retain knowledge and access critical information as needed.
“We wanted to explore how we could do things differently—innovating learning solutions to drive higher performance,” said Moritz Feitsma, a learning leader at the Dutch Navy.
The journey began with an in-company 5 Moments of Need® Designer Certificate Training, where five employees participated and developed a Proof of Concept (PoC) to evaluate the methodology’s fit within existing processes.
Building a Proof of Concept
The PoC focused on three key objectives:
Two pilot projects were developed in the AskDelphi Digital Coach technology during the training:
- 1
Botteliers (Logistics Personnel): Focused on managing food and beverage inventory on ships.
- 2
Hofmeesters (Non-Commissioned Officers of Logistics): Centered on serving meals and other hospitality tasks aboard ships.
“Our goal was to evaluate how well the methodology integrates with our processes and identify what’s needed for successful implementation,” explained Dutch Navy Learning advisor Patrick Bliekendaal.
Success Sparks Interest Across Defense
Both pilot projects demonstrated the potential of workplace learning to enhance retention and improve task performance. Stakeholders responded positively, and the success of the PoC has sparked broader interest across the Defense organization. Additional teams have begun applying the methodology to other critical tasks, including managing the Vertical Launch System (weapons system) and the Leader Attack Plan (firefighting on ships).
“This new approach is just the beginning, but it’s clear it will lead to better, more measurable performance for our Navy personnel,” said Feitsma.
Expanding the Scope
Encouraged by these initial results, the Royal Netherlands Navy is now working to expand the methodology across other areas of Defense. This ongoing effort aims to drive meaningful change by embedding learning into the flow of work.
Driving Measurable Results
The Navy’s partnership with Xprtise demonstrates the transformative power of the 5 Moments of Need® methodology. By integrating learning into daily operations, the Navy is fostering a culture of continuous improvement, ensuring that its personnel are prepared to meet the demands of their mission with confidence and efficiency.
“This approach will not only enhance performance but also establish a foundation for sustained innovation in how we learn and operate,” concluded Bliekendaal.
Ready for the Next Wave
With workplace learning firmly on the horizon, the Royal Netherlands Navy is leading by example, showcasing how modern methodologies can empower organizations to meet their goals through innovation, collaboration, and a commitment to excellence.