Some tips on rolling out new software, by Alison Steele

After IBM released Notes 8, the company rolled out the new software to their employees. Even though Notes 8 is said to be extremely user friendly, a variety of optional training methods were provided for the employees to ease the transition.  IBM’s primary strategy was to offer free end-user training on their website.  The website divided resources into four categories: Getting Started, Interactive Demos, Reference Cards explaining changes from previous software, and a How Do I? section.  The resources included videos, interactives, and white papers.  In addition to these training materials, the site features tabs to blogs, certification exams, and technical education.  These resources proved extremely useful to IBM while migrating from one version of Notes to the next.  IBM understood that the end-user may feel comfortable overall with the new version, but this did not mean that users would not have questions. A variety of resources to support end-users was critical.

The blog also recommended that, before software migration begins, users’ interests should be peaked by encouraging them to think about what they want to learn from the new software. This means you should let users know about new features and how the software will help them increase productivity.  Employees are mentally preparing to learn valuable tools and thinking of the adjustment in a positive light, prior to any actual change.  Simply put, change tends to happen smoother if those involved are looking forward to it.  The end-users may even start doing their own research on the new software, since they are excited to upgrade.  Knowing more about the software will also help the transition to go efficiently. Introducing the end-user to the new software can make all of the difference in an upgrade or migration.

Summarized and adapted from Ed Brill’s blog on “End-User Training Options for Notes 8”, the complete article can be found at: http://www.edbrill.com/ebrill/edbrill.nsf/dx/end-user-training-options-for-notes-8?opendocument&comments#anc1