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"Instructional technology is the systematic and systemic application of theories, concepts, principles, and methods to learning situations in order to produce improvement in human learning." (AECT, 2004)

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"Human performance technology is the systematic and systemic application of theories, concepts, principles, and methods to work situations in order to produce improvement in human learning and behavior, organizational success, and/or organizational impact on its society."  (www.ispi.org)

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As it is indicated in their definitions, both Instructional technology (IT) and human performance technology (HPT):

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• Use systematic approach to improving effectiveness and efficiency,

• Have a set of methods, procedures and standards,

• Have strategies to solve problems,

• Include a process of selection, analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation.

• Can be applied to individuals, small groups, and large groups,

• Stem from a common which is origin in systems thinking and behavioral psychology.

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Instructional technology focuses on improving learning outcomes, and human performance technology focuses on improving performance or organizational outcomes, as well as learning outcomes.

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The practice of human performance technology like needs assessment starts before the practice of instructional technology. In other words they have different DNA structures. Furthermore human performance technology utilizes a larger number of interventions, including instruction (Chyung, 2008). In this sense, the field of human performance technology can be thought of as cousin to the field of instructional technology.

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