Learning Technologies Award: Data-Driven Compliance Training at ABN AMRO

Data-driven Risk & Compliance at ABN AMRO: learning with real impact

Sometimes a project comes along that perfectly illustrates the direction in which organizational learning is heading: smarter, more personalized, and truly impactful. The data-driven compliance program that ABN AMRO developed in collaboration with Next Learning Valley is a prime example of this. What’s more, it was honored with the Learning Technologies Award—a wonderful recognition of this innovative initiative.

The challenge: compulsory learning without energy loss

ABN AMRO had a clear goal: Employees should not only complete mandatory Risk & Compliance training courses, but also understand, apply, and gain confidence from them.

Nevertheless, that ambition was under pressure. As can be seen in the document provided, the following was the case:

• High study pressure
• Low motivation due to "check mark behavior"
• No distinction between beginners and experienced professionals
• Annual refresher training that was time-consuming with no visibility of real impact

The solution: modular, adaptive and data-driven

In collaboration with Next Learning Valley and UP Learning, ABN AMRO developed the Risk Refresher 2024–2025, a modern learning solution that consists of:

• A modular offering for every Business Line
• Smart pre- and post-tests
• An adaptive learning path that skips irrelevant content
• Integration of insights from xAPI data and dashboarding through Learning Locker and Insights
• Content development
• Automation via Waves for driving learning flows

What makes this project special

1. Personalization at Scale

The pretest revealed that 59.3% of employees already possessed the necessary knowledge and could safely skip certain modules.

Thanks to adaptive technology, this has finally become a reality: employees only follow content that is relevant to them.

2. Learning more efficiently without compromising quality

Learning time dropped from 2:51 hours to 1:43 hours per employee. That means a time gain of 1:09 hours p.p.

Bank-wide, this amounted to:

• 28,997 hours saved
• €1,340,136 in savings on personnel costs
• Potential savings of as much as €3,312,313 with a full rollout

3. Greater effectiveness through genuine knowledge growth

For employees who did need additional support, their increased knowledge was clearly evident in the post-tests.

4. Data-Driven Decisions

Learning analytics was even used to examine whether exemptions were structurally possible.

However, the data showed that there was no significant difference between groups that had previously completed the Advanced training and groups that had not.

This helped ABN AMRO make informed decisions and avoid risks.

5. A Change in Mindset

By incorporating Schön's principles of reflection-in-action, the transition to action became logical and natural.

Learning became noticeably more relevant, and employees felt more confident in their roles.

Why this was worthy of the Learning Technologies Award

This project shows what modern learning should be like:

• Adaptive: based on what a person can already do
• Data-driven: decisions underpinned by real insights
• Efficient: time and resources are used smarter
• Effective: demonstrable knowledge growth and behavior change
• Innovative: optimal use of xAPI, Insights and Automation

It is an example for any organization that wants to move away from traditional, one-way learning.

Receiving the Learning Technologies Award underscores the strength of this approach.

And now? The journey continues

The focus in 2026 on:

• Even deeper personalization
• Behavioral measurements three months after completion
• Continued development of adaptivity
• Broadening to other topics within Risk & Compliance

ABN AMRO and Next Learning Valley are setting a new standard for learning in large organizations.