What do you think about when you consider how to measure a product’s quality? Common measures are things like features, reliability, and aesthetics, which all work pretty well for most people to get a sense of the relative quality of something. But what sorts of things can influence our perceptions of those measurements? Research has shown that not only does a person’s training on the use of a product have an impact on their perception of its quality, but training can actually have a larger impact on that perception than the feature set of the product itself! It’s perhaps more intuitive if you think of it as a person’s view of a product being directly correlated to how well they understand how to use the product. This is why a robust training plan is critical part of any implementation of a new tool or software program.
Building an engaging training program
Let’s say we accept that well-trained users are imperative for a successful rollout of a new system; how can we ensure our users are well-trained? Classroom training is one of the most effective tools in an instructor’s repertoire, but as workforces become more and more widely distributed geographically, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to get a set of learners into a classroom.
Virtual instructor led training can help bridge that gap, but especially with adult learners, simulation is a powerful, cost-effective tool. Used in conjunction with the flipped classroom model, where traditional classroom lectures and homework exercises are traded for self-paced conceptual learning and the exercises are done together in the classroom (virtual or physical), simulation allows your team members to practice doing the real-world tasks they’ll be doing when the new system goes live in a collaborative learning environment with their peers under the guidance of an expert instructor. Put energy into developing those real-world scenarios they’ll practice; the time you spend there will pay dividends in team member proficiency on day one with the new system.
Reach out to your support system
It’s important to work on your own training program because no one knows your workflows better than you, but that doesn’t mean you’re in it alone. At Extract Systems, my teammates and I on our Professional Services team are with you for the entire journey, from the project kickoff, through implementation and training, and finally supporting you through go live and into the future.
If you’re interested in talking with someone on our team or seeing a demonstration of our software, please reach out.
About the Author: Alex Albrecht
Alex Albrecht is a member of the Professional Services team at Extract Systems. He has an Electrical Engineering degree from Purdue University. He spent a decade as a global learning and development leader and has also worked as a system administrator, trainer, product support specialist, and serviceability engineer. Alex’s passions at work include solving problems, optimizing workflows, and helping teams and individuals reach their potential.