In many ways, Cognitive Arts is defined by our innovative approach to designing and deploying learning programs. Using our proprietary methodology – Critical Mistake Analysis (CMA) – we help organizations and training departments take a fact-based approach in deciding what to teach.  And once those decisions are made, our approach translates the most important concepts into goal-based scenarios, conveyed through interactive learning environments using games and simulations. This creates opportunities for learners to practice targeted skills in a realistic but safe environment that recreates the conditions that lead to common mistakes, experience the consequences of those mistakes, and receive coaching on how to do better.

CMA methodology uses empirical data to identify the most important issues that a course should focus on. By identifying the most common and costly mistakes made by novices deploying target skills in the real world, and performing a root-cause analysis to determine the underlying causes of these mistakes, Critical Mistake Analysis tells you exactly what content will have the most significant business impact. 
  
CMA methodology evolved from extensive research conducted at Northwestern University's Institute for the Learning Sciences. NIIT and Cognitive Arts have proven the value of this approach in numerous client engagements across a variety of industries and content areas.

CMA methodology, which has been applied to more than 100 programs for dozens of corporations worldwide, has proven effective for individual learners as well as businesses working to align human performance with organizational goals. 

Critical mistake analysis is a five-step process.  Explore the stages of CMA here.  Or, please download this white paper about CMA.