Training Development
At Atimi we can design objective-based training materials for any kind of software product. We follow a structured training development cycle in order to produce effective training projects on-budget every time.
Needs Analysis
Course development starts with a needs analysis. The Atimi project manager works with the customer to answer the following questions:
- Why is training required?
- What is the scope of the training?
- Who needs the training?
- When does the training need to be completed?
- What resources are currently available? (instructional designers, trainers, training coordinators, training environment, training equipment, software manuals)
- How much budget is allocated to the project?
Based on the information provided by the client, the Atimi project manager will write a formal Needs Analysis and provide it to the customer.
Audience Analysis
Once the audience has been identified a formal Audience Analysis can be performed. The goal is to assess the education and training background of the users, their ability to use computer hardware and software, and their learning styles. If in-house trainers will be used, the Audience Analysis also includes an assessment of the trainers.
The Training Project Manager will consult with supervisory staff, interview users individually, or ask the representative members of the audience to complete a written survey.
The audience analysis will provide the following information:
- Identify different user groups (e.g., supervisors, production, support staff, trainers)
- Assess the common background for each user group
- Assess the computer skill level for each user group
- Deyermine most effective delivery method(s) (Instructor-led training, learning lab, or computer-based tutorials)
- The pace of the training for each group
- The location for the training (in-house, or off-site)
- Prerequisite third-party training, if required
Task Analysis
A thorough task analysis is conducted to identify all of the tasks that can be performed using the software. This will determine the scope of the training for all users.
The instructional designer conducts research to identify all tasks. They use the software (if possible), read the software specifications and any other pertinent documentation (e.g., company procedure manuals), and interview subject matter experts (usually software developers).
Once all tasks are identified, they are organized into training modules. Then the Task Analysis is reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure the analysis is accurate and complete.
The final step is to identify of the Task Analysis is to identify which user group(s) will perform each task.
Training Requirements Specification
The final step of the planning process is to produce a Training Requirements Specification, also known as a Training Plan, which provides all the details on the software training program.
The Training Requirements Specification is produced by compiling the results from the Needs Analysis, Audience Analysis, and Task Analysis.
The Training Requirements Specification defines the following information:
- All Training Course included in the Training Program
- Training paths for each user group
- A Course Outline for each Training Course, which includes:
- The course name
- A course description
- The course duration
- The course objectives
- The course audience
- The number of students in each class
- Student course materials
- Course prerequisites
- The course location
- Training material deliverables, including native files and final output
- The development schedule
- The estimated cost of development
- Resources for delivery and coordinating the training
- Computer training equipment
- The training schedule
- The estimated cost of delivery
The Training Requirements Specification is completed, negotiated, and signed off by the customer. The Course Outlines are used to market the courses to end users, and course development begins.
Course Development
The instructional designer develops the course based on the requirements outlined in the Training Requirements Specification and the Course Outline. Each course will include some or all of the following training materials:
- Training Guide: classroom preparation and setup, presentation slides, demonstrations, exercises with answers, and course evaluations.
- Student Workbook: a copy of presentation slides, exercises, and projects.
- Slide Presentation: electronic slides in Keynote, PowerPoint, or PDF format.
- Job Aids: quick reference cards for commonly-used procedures, and keyboard shortcuts.
- Tutorials: a video overview of how to use the main features.
- Computer Based Training Modules: a set of video demonstrations on how to perform all major tasks that includes exercises and/or tests.
During production, the instructional designer collects information by using the software and consulting subject matter experts as required. The tasks and modules are put in progressive order so the students can build on the previous tasks. Then, the slides and exercises are created for each task, and projects or quizzes are developed for each course.
When the training materials are completed, they are tested by the Atimi QA team. All revisions are incorporated. Then a final draft is released for the Course Pilot.
Course Pilot
The course pilot is delivered to test the materials in a classroom situation. The instructional designer, a subject matter expert, or a designated trainer delivers the course. All input is fed back into course development, and the materials are revised accordingly.
Gold Master Training Materials Released
Finally, the course materials are officially released and customer training can begin. At the end of each course, Course Evaluations are completed and feedback from both trainers and customers are incorporated into the next release of the training materials.
