Effective Technology Training: A Guide to Successful Implementation

Implementing technology will change your company's established way of operating. While the change itself may be technical in nature, successfully managing how your people transition to the new system determines whether your technology investment pays off. Training is crucial to this process—even the most advanced technology provides little value if employees do not understand how to use it effectively. 

How to Create Successful Technology Training 

1. Set the Scene 

Begin with “why", when employees understand the purpose and importance of innovative technology, they are more likely to embrace it. Once you have established "why," provide a comprehensive overview that addresses: 

• Who will be affected by the change? 

• What major process changes will occur? 

• When these changes will take place 

• Where can employees find additional information? 

• How will the training process unfold? 

This context helps reduce resistance to change by creating clarity and setting appropriate expectations. 

When preparing this information, consider the Bridges Transition Model and assess where your employees fall within it. What emotions might they be experiencing about this technological change? What specific information could help address their concerns and ease the transition? 

2. Develop Relevant Content 

Base all training content on clearly defined learning objectives and thorough training needs analysis. Important considerations include: 

• Adult learning principles that recognize how experienced professionals learn 

• Current knowledge, skills, and abilities of your employees. 

• Required proficiency levels after training completion. 

For technology training specifically: 

• Structure content around business processes rather than technical features. 

• Use relevant, real-world examples that connect to employees' daily work. 

• Build upon existing knowledge to make new concepts more accessible. 

• Create direct opportunities for employees to practice using the technology. 

• When possible, space out training sessions to allow for better information retention and application. 

Throughout the training process, maintain open communication channels. Encourage active participation and create multiple opportunities for questions. Be prepared to adjust your training approach based on participant feedback and demonstrated needs. 

3. Evaluate Effectiveness 

Plan your evaluation methods in advance, selecting appropriate formats such as surveys, quizzes, or practical demonstrations. The evaluation approach should align with the required proficiency level—whether employees need basic awareness or must develop advanced skills. 

For a structured approach to evaluation, consider Kirkpatrick's Training Evaluation Levels, which assess: 

• Reaction: How participants felt about the training. 

• Learning: Knowledge and skills acquired. 

• Behavior: Changes in on-the-job performance. 

• Results: Organizational impact. 

If evaluations reveal gaps in understanding, identify the specific learning objectives that were not met and provide targeted follow-up training. Use evaluation results to refine training materials for future sessions. 

4. Provide Accessible Resources 

Participants will inevitably have questions after training concludes. Ensure all training materials—including guides, videos, and reference documents—remain easily accessible. Create a centralized resource library where employees can find answers to common questions and refresh their knowledge. 

Review and update these resources regularly to maintain accuracy as the technology evolves. 

5. Plan for Ongoing Training 

As Heraclitus noted, "change is the only constant in life." After your initial implementation and training, further changes will arise through system updates, enhancements, and bug fixes. Develop a process for identifying when retraining is necessary and delivering it efficiently. 

Ongoing training also presents an opportunity to address workarounds that employees may have developed and realign practices with intended processes. 

Conclusion 

Training is not merely an afterthought but an essential component of successful technology adoption. By considering your employees' needs at every stage of training development and delivery, you create learning experiences that reduce resistance, increase adoption rates, and maximize your return on technology investment. 

If you have questions about any of these points, connect with us!  

Meira is a solution agnostic ERP consultant. Meaning we don’t sell specific ERPs. We help you pick the right ERP for your business and ensure it gets implemented well.