2026 Community of Human and Organizational Learning 32nd Annual Conference

---

Understanding and Applying HOP Principles
Learning about Human and Organizational Performance (HOP) principles, concepts, and tools can feel overwhelming at first. They sound good in theory—but what do they really mean for your team, and how do you apply them in practice?
For some organizations, HOP has been part of the culture for years, woven into procedures and everyday work. But if you’re new to HOP—or trying to influence others—it helps to start with familiar examples.
Take the concepts of checklists and placekeeping. In everyday life, people use shopping lists to avoid missing or duplicating items. Now imagine going shopping without a pen to mark off what you’ve bought—frustrating, right? That simple habit illustrates why checklists matter: they reduce errors and improve reliability.
By connecting HOP principles to real-life experiences, people can see that these practices aren’t abstract—they’re practical. Start by asking: What do we already do to prevent mistakes? How can we apply those same habits at work? This approach makes HOP relatable and actionable.