Optimum’s brief was to design a detailed, role-based user training plan, develop classroom-based courses and produce all the training documentation. The materials were designed so they could be used after go-live for ongoing, business-as-usual system training.

The training programme was to include generic modules, Accounts, Billing, Data analytics, Human resources, Self-service for maintaining personal details and recording absence etc, plus productivity for secretaries and fee earners.

Optimum would hand over the lesson plans and documentation and teach Fieldfisher’s training team how to deliver the training in-house. Trainer packs were produced to support this process.

Due to the tight timeframe, a large team of consultants from Optimum was needed to carry out knowledge transfer sessions with a range of Fieldfisher workstream leads. This phase was complicated by the fact that Fieldfisher was still customising parts of its LexisOne system and not all the new business processes had been finalised. Here, Optimum used its expertise and flexibility to develop these training courses and materials working from mock-ups of screenshots populated with dummy data.

Optimum produced a wide range of training materials from quick cards for light users to much more detailed reference guides, formatted to Fieldfisher’s own template, for those power users who would be interacting with the system on a daily basis.

Both passive and interactive eLearning modules were created for remote users who attended online training sessions using Skype for Business screen-share technology. These lesson plans were developed in a modular style so the training content could be delivered in shorter sessions.

Role-specific training was given to the firm’s partners, practice business managers, fee earners, trainees, paralegals and secretaries at several locations in the UK and Europe.

Although the original plan had been for Fieldfisher to deliver all the training in-house, a shortage of capacity meant Optimum took over some sessions, including super user training for the lead secretaries. The consultancy also delivered the training at Fieldfisher’s new office in Amsterdam.

Joanne Harrison, Optimum’s sales director reflected: “This was a challenging project because of its scale and the tight timeframe. But we were able to help Fieldfisher provide effective, role-based system training to schedule and leave them with extensive training materials that can be used as their LexisOne system is rolled out and evolves.”

Orla Harrell, Fieldfisher’s LexisOne project manager, said: “Optimum were selected because they had the experience, knowledge and proven track record to deliver Fieldfisher’s specific requirements. There were so many advantages of working with a specialist training company in the early stages of the project. Optimum were able to demonstrate this and delivered what was required to a high standard. This has enabled Fieldfisher’s in house training team to adapt and develop the training documentation as the product has evolved.”