Getting the Most from Training
Putting someone on a course is expensive, here are some tips ideas for getting the most benefit from attendees' time away
- encourage attendees to gain some exposure to the topics of the course before attending
- provide a book allowance - before the course - ask for a brief book review
- if there are on-line or CD-based training resources available, allocate time for their use
- identify the objectives for attending the course and make them clear to attendee, manager and instructor
- ask for a written précis following the course, highlighting points which were most relevant, inspiring, and worthy of further investigation
- review the objectives after a course, and use this information to asses the performance of training providors
Books are the ideal complement to classroom training and on-line
help. Learning from a reference-style book is timeless, and coverage of a topic
is complete and detailed. Well-thumbed reference works on the shelf are a good sign!
Books that are not reference-style are intended to be read in
entirety and may represent one or more author’s view of the subject.
In all cases; books; computer-based training and classroom training,
consideration must be given to the quality and technical accuracy of the information,
if students are to learn best practices.
Aim to teach developers and project managers how to build and manage the actual project on which they are working.
By using the definition and architecture established in Steps 1 and 2 of the Six
Step Process, providors can create training materials which promote (only) the chosen architecture and use the project's own subject as the case study. At the end of such training, attendees will have already started delivering the project!
That's a big win for everyone.