Web-Based Training Decision Aid

Organizations have been using Computer Based Training (CBT) for years. Now you’ve been hearing about all the organizations that are moving their CBT to the Internet or Intranet. You’ve been thinking about it but how do you decide if YOUR project should be migrated?

The following Web-based Training Decision Aid was created to help you. It summarizes a number of key considerations. Keep in mind -- this is a guideline only. You may want to add or delete some categories or change some of the values to better reflect your organization. If you make any changes, make sure you modify the total guidelines noted below.

To use the decision aid, assign a point value using the guidelines provided. If your total is less than 135, you probably should not consider Internet/Intranet based training for this project. If the total is between 135 and 200, take a second look. If over 200, the Internet or Intranet may be a very good bet.

Finally, technology for the Internet and Intranets is changing daily. If you are seriously considering using the Internet, make sure you validate this decision aid based on the state of the technology on the day you are making your evaluation.

Basic Considerations

Consideration

Instructions

PTS

Location of audience

If the audience is

  • all at the same location 0
  • at multiple remote sites 5
  • a field force at individual locations 10
 

Frequency of changes.

If the program

  • will not change very often 5
  • will change frequently 10
 

Variety of media.

If the program requires

  • full motion video -10
  • sound and limited video 0
  • text, graphics and animation 10
 

Content

If the content

  • has not been developed yet 0
  • has been successfully used in a classroom 5
  • has been successfully used in an interactive program 10
 

Links to other content

If the content being presented

  • stands alone 0
  • would benefit from links to other Web sites 10
 

Amount of interactivity

If the program

  • is fully interactive learning with immediate feedback 5
  • has limited interactivity 10
 

Preferred learning style.

If learners prefer

  • Group learning 0
  • Independent learning 10
 

Preferred training schedule.

If it is more appropriate to

  • Set training schedules 3
  • Allow learners to set schedules 10
 

Current learner skill level.

If learners

  • All have the same skill level 5
  • Have widely varying skill level 10
 

Importance of consistency.

If consistency is

  • Not important 0
  • Somewhat important 5
  • Very important 10
 

Need for performance tracking.

If performance tracking across multiple courses or modules is

  • Not needed 0
  • Desirable 5
  • Required 10
 

Content.

If skills are

  • Soft 0
  • Hard 5
 

Sub-total

Corporate Considerations

Consideration

Instrauctions

PTS

Management's past experience with technology based training.

If past experience with technology based training was

Not favorable 0

Neutral 5

Very favorable 10

 

General view of technology.

If management views technology as

Awful 0

A necessary evil 5

Great 10

 

User experience

If the target audience on a regular basis

  • does not use e-mail nor the World Wide Web 0
  • uses e-mail but not the World Wide Web 5
  • uses the World Wide Web 10
 

Experience with MM Training.

If your company

  • has never implemented a MM Training program 0
  • has implemented stand-alone MM Training programs 5
  • has implemented networked MM Training programs 10
 

Mode of access.

If the a significant number of the target audience currently

  • has no access to the Internet/ Intranet -20
  • has dial-up access to the Internet/ Intranet 0
  • has real-time access to the Internet/ Intranet 10
 

Budgeting scheme.

For cost comparisons, if development costs

  • Are separated from costs of delivery 0
  • Are included with delivery costs 10
 

Availability of hardware at learner site.

If hardware at learner site is

  • Not available at all 0
  • Available but has to be upgraded 5
  • Available 10
 

Management's perception of person making recommendation.

If person making recommendation

  • Has a poor track record -10
  • Has no track record 0
  • Has a great track record 10
 

Project management skills of staff.

If staff can

  • NOT manage an Internet/Intranet project 0
  • Manage project 10
 

Administration

If

  • no-one is available to administer the program -5
  • the administrator does not have Internet experience 0
  • the administrator has Internet experience 5
 

Availability and knowledge of Internet design and authoring language.

If staff

  • Does not know anything about authoring 0
  • Will contract with experienced designers/authors 10
  • Can design & author applications 10
 

Availability of hardware trouble shooters.

If trouble shooters

  • Can not be made available 0
  • Can be made available 10
 

Use of existing trainers.

If existing trainers

  • Will no longer be needed 0
  • Can be transferred to new positions 5
  • Can be used on Internet/Intranet projects 10
 

Sub-total

 

TOTAL

 

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Last Modified: October 31, 2000