How to Plan Training Events

Planning effective training requires several components which must be implemented correctly and in order if the training is to be successful. Whether you are planning training for a very small group or a large corporate training session, following these steps will ensure that the training is organized, specific and implemented in the correct manner. Documenting as you go and following up will ensure that you can make necessary changes to future programs.

Instructions

1. Understand that communicating with business owners is imperative. Once they request that training be planned, implemented and facilitated, you must obtain specific information from the business owners. Determine the training audience. For example, if you are a retail organization, is the training for sales associates, supervisors, managers or third party partners?

2. Decide with the business owner how the training will be delivered and who will be delivering it. Is the business owner going to handle facilitating the training or will he require your assistance. Will the training be delivered online or in person? Will the training be a paper based or classroom training?

3. Ask the business owner if any testing will be required as part of the training. For example, will there be a quiz after each section of the training and a final exam at the end?

4. Determine the desired outcome of the training. Is there one specific subject that requires training? Is there a special event being planned that people should know? Be specific when you are meeting with the business owners as knowing what they are looking for upfront will help you decide if training is even necessary. Sometimes people want training but in actuality, they have an HR issue that needs attention. Asking for this information up front will avoid this type of confusion.

5. Gather your subject matter experts. Subject matter experts are people who are very knowledgeable regarding the training content you are planning to develop. Have a kick-off meeting with your experts in person if possible. If having them meet in person is impossible due to locations or schedules, then schedule a conference call or video conference.

6. Design an outline. Working with your subject matter experts, decide on an outline for the training content. Using the information obtained from the business owner, inform your subject matter experts that training is necessary and what it should entail. Then break the training down into sections. For instance, if you are training a technician on computer privacy issues, your outline might include an introduction, why privacy is important, what types of information they should avoid looking at on a customer's computer such as photos, specific consequences of not adhering to the training and finally a conclusion.

7. Designate a team to design the training. If the training modules will be delivered online, plan to use a writer, a graphics designer and a technical support person to upload the training package. If the training is going to be paper-based, use a writer and a graphics artist. If the training is going to be classroom training with PowerPoint slides and a projector, schedule a writer and graphics person to design the slides and also schedule someone to facilitate the training.

8. Follow up with the subject matter experts throughout the design and development stage for feedback and changes. Once changes are given by the subject matter experts, implement them correctly. Ask the business owner for their feedback throughout the process. This will eliminate the necessity of making a bunch of changes after the training has been designed.

9. Choose a facilitator and schedule a location for the training. If the training is going to be held off-site, schedule a conference room or other space in an appropriate location. Order all necessary supplies, such as paper, pens, projectors, laptop computer, meals and snacks.

10. Communicate with training attendees on the date, time and location of the training. Also, tell them in advance what the training session will entail so they can be prepared.

References

• Additional training strategy information