Optimum carried out an initial detailed training needs analysis and then drew up the critical training plan, identifying the different user roles, who should be trained and in what, along with the content, duration, support materials and logistics for each training session.

Lesson plans and exercises were written for each of the 15 role-based courses. The training covered a large number of topics; eight different modules were created for the project accounting and management suite alone.

Optimum produced a series of quick cards to give light users a simple guide to common, key processes while detailed reference guides provided core users with step-by-step instructions on more complex processes and set out exactly how the system should be used.

Amec Foster Wheeler then nominated a team of business leads from within its UK organisation who would actually deliver the majority of the user training to their peer groups.

Most of the team was new to training and an essential part of Optimum’s brief was to equip them with the knowledge, the soft skills and the confidence to deliver the training successfully. A series of handover days was scheduled followed by three ‘skill the trainer’ courses.

Optimum designed the training around a range of delivery methods depending on the workstream. These included classroom training for large groups, at desk sessions for smaller teams plus some one-to-one help where required. In addition, Optimum wrote and recorded eLearning scripts and videos, hosted on Amec Foster Wheeler’s learning management system, to guide remote users through a series of exercises.

A total of 350 staff underwent classroom training in ten locations across the UK with 1,500 using the online tools.

The global energy assets group, Amec Foster Wheeler, has re-engaged the IT training specialist, Optimum, to update its training materials for the rollout of Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 to its US and Canadian operations.

It follows Optimum’s creation of a range of bespoke, job specific end user training courses, with a complete set of supporting materials, for the UK implementation in 2015.

The consultancy’s brief for phase two was to adapt the UK reference guides and manuals to reflect the different system settings required by the North American and Canadian markets. The companies there are also using different elements of the system’s functionality in different ways from the UK configuration, so new sections were added to fully localise the training materials. Optimum also rewrote all the trainer packs and lesson plans using the US data sets to provide the trainers with relevant, structured documentation and to ensure consistency of delivery.

All the work behind the adaptations, including the knowledge transfer, was done remotely from the UK using Skype for Business. The four way conversations covered three time zones so the Optimum consultants extended their working day to fit the 5 – 8 hour time differences.