How to Develop Rapid IT Training Programs

Digital transformation and the rapid rise of AI-powered tools has seen a rapid growth in the deployment of new software solutions and systems. This presents new challenges for IT Project and L&D managers in keeping your user community up to date with the latest advancements.

Rapid IT training programs and up to date support materials are the key to staying ahead, ensuring your workforce is equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to tackle new challenges efficiently. Let’s dive into how you can develop effective and swift IT training programs and support materials that meet the demands of your dynamic industry.

The Importance of Rapid Training in Keeping Up with Technological Advancements

Technology evolves at lightning speed, and so must your training programs. Rapid IT training ensures your team:

• Stays Current: Keeps up with the latest tools, software, and methodologies.
• Enhances Performance: Quick, focused training boosts employee performance and productivity.
• Reduces Downtime: Minimizes the time employees spend away from their core tasks, thus maintaining business continuity.
• Reduces Stress: Taking some of the heat out of technology change makes for a better, happier, workforce

Statistics

• Efficiency Gains: Companies that implement rapid training see a 218% higher income per employee (Training Industry Report).
• Retention Rates: Rapid training programs can improve knowledge retention by up to 50% compared to traditional methods (Journal of Applied Psychology).

Strategies for Developing Rapid IT Training Programs

1. Make Your List
   • Who needs to know, and what do they need to know. Without this, you’re going to be in a world of pain.
2. Prioritise (but don’t ignore the small stuff)
   • It’s easy to make the mistake of doing the most popular topics first. Paradoxically, it’s the more fringe areas that may need the greater attention. Why? Because core tasks turn into tribal knowledge very quickly.
3. Give up on Perfection
   • It’s just not going to happen. This might be contentious, but it’s better to have a complete, solid set of training and support materials, than 20% done brilliantly, and 80% lousy.
4. Expect and Anticipate Changes at the 11th hour.
   • There is always going to be change, and it’s going to be at the last minute. So, don’t bank on being able to outsource content development weeks ahead of go live.
5. Decide on your platform/output types for delivery.
   • This sounds so obvious, but it’s often not given the consideration it deserves.
   • Don’t just go for Word or PowerPoint files. These wonderful files are ubiquitous and we all know how to use them, but they are not great for searching and maintenance.
   • Think hard about using a system where the content is easy for the user to consume. Yes, that means SharePoint, ServiceNow knowledge or Confluence or similar. And not just attached Word documents, proper formatted pages so they can be found and navigated easily.
   • Video? Sure, but never just do video. Videos project professionalism, and can be great for training, but they are not much use when it comes to finding the ‘right part’ really quickly.
   • You can’t do everything. Learning styles are learning preferences. Trying to make everyone happy, often means no body ends up happy.
6. Make a standard design (but don’t be paranoid about it)
   • It’s great to have every page, every video, look consistent.
   • Let’s strive for that, but don’t sacrifice a complete set of content, for a partially complete consistent set of files.
7. Utilise Existing Resources
   • Leverage existing documentation, tutorials, and videos to build your training content.
   • Adapt and update these resources to align with current needs.
   • Having said that, it’s often more time efficient to start again. If an asset is more than, say, 5% out of date, and it’s in a format like Word, then you might be better off starting again.
8. Interactive Learning
   • Given time and money, incorporate interactive elements such as quizzes, simulations, and hands-on exercises.
   • Interactive learning enhances engagement and retention.
   • Tread a little carefully here, as these things usually have a very short shelf life. As your target system changes, these things rapidly become of little use.
9. Blended Learning
   • Combine online modules with in-person sessions to cater to different learning styles.
   • This hybrid approach can improve overall training effectiveness.
   • This is always a good idea, but it takes time and money. If you're short on either, then just make sure you have a complete set of materials that the audience can use.

Tools and Software for Rapid Training Development

1. Rapid Authoring Tools:
   • Runthru Instruction: Exceptionally fast software for creating a myriad of learning content outputs, including pages in Sharepoint, Confluence and ServiceNow, as well as video.
   • Articulate 360: Great for creating interactive and engaging eLearning content.
   • Adobe Captivate: Very good for creating responsive training modules.
2. Learning Management Systems (LMS):
   • Moodle: An open-source LMS that allows for extensive customization.
   • Cornerstone: Enterprise strength LMS.
3. Content Delivery Systems:
   • Sharepoint
   • Confluence
   • ServiceNow
   • Runthru Fusion

Case Studies of Successful Rapid Training Implementations

Case Study 1: Tertiary Education

A major Australian university faced the challenge of rapidly training their support team on a new software rollout. By using a modular training approach and integrating interactive simulations, they reduced training time by 40% and improved customer support response times significantly.

Case Study 2: Financial Services

A large bank needed to quickly upskill their employees on a new core banking system. They leveraged Runthru to develop and deploy comprehensive training modules within weeks, ensuring compliance and minimising business disruptions.

Measuring the Effectiveness of Rapid Training Programs

The best practice for measuring the effectiveness of Rapid Training Programs can be distilled to the following 4 steps.

1. Pre and Post-Training Assessments:
   • Conduct assessments before and after training sessions to measure knowledge gains.
2. Performance Metrics:
   • Track key performance indicators (KPIs) such as productivity, error rates, and task completion times.
3. Feedback Loops:
   • Collect feedback from participants to continuously improve training content and delivery methods.
4. Engagement Analytics:
   • Use LMS analytics to monitor engagement levels and identify areas for improvement.

But, this is going to be unlikely for most IT projects. There is just not enough time, money and executive support to make this a reality.

That doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t gather feedback and correct mistakes. That’s really important.

The Rise of Accelerated Knowledge Transfer (AKT)

In the rapidly evolving landscape of IT and business, the need for swift and efficient knowledge transfer has never been greater. Accelerated Knowledge Transfer (AKT) is emerging as a critical component for organisations looking to stay competitive and agile.

What is Accelerated Knowledge Transfer (AKT)?

AKT focuses on the rapid capture, management, and dissemination of knowledge to ensure that it reaches the right people at the right time. This approach not only speeds up the learning process but also enhances the retention and application of knowledge.

Benefits of AKT

• Speed and Efficiency: Quickly disseminate critical information across the organisation.
• Scalability: Easily scale training programs to accommodate growing teams or new hires.
• Consistency: Ensure that all team members have access to the same, up-to-date information.

Trends & Statistics

• Growing Demand: The demand for quick and efficient training solutions has increased by 30% over the past year (Training Magazine).
• Impact on Performance: Companies that implement AKT strategies see a 50% improvement in employee performance and a 40% reduction in training costs (Gartner).

Runthru: The Leader in Accelerated Knowledge Transfer

At Runthru, we are proud to be at the forefront of AKT. Our all-in-one solution simplifies the entire knowledge journey, from rapid capture to seamless dissemination. Here’s why Runthru stands out:

• Really Rapid Content Authoring: Built for both speed of creation and speed of editing, this platform sets the standard for rapid build of training and support materials.
• Intuitive User Experience: Our platform is designed to be user-friendly, making it easy for anyone to capture and manage knowledge efficiently.
• Smart Document Standards: Embedded smart document standards ensure consistency and compliance across all training materials.
• Integration Capabilities: Runthru directly creates and edits pages in major knowledge bases like SharePoint, Confluence, and ServiceNow, ensuring a smooth flow of information.

By leveraging Runthru’s advanced capabilities, organisations can develop rapid IT training programs that not only meet current demands but also prepare their teams for future challenges.

Conclusion

Rapid IT training programs are essential for keeping up with technological advancements and maintaining a competitive edge. By following these strategies and utilizing the right tools, you can develop effective training programs that enhance your team’s skills and performance. Embracing Accelerated Knowledge Transfer with solutions like Runthru can further streamline your training processes, ensuring that your team is always equipped with the latest knowledge and skills.

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