Q: I've been given a stretch task — to design a training program for employees for a new program. I've never done something like this and wonder what I should keep in mind.
Lorraine, 35, business analyst
A: Bring together a variety of resources to help you succeed.
Reflect on trainings you have attended. Some may have stood out because you took away clear and lasting lessons, mastered new concepts, or learned new skills. Others may have been more lackluster.
Consider the structure of the training, the method of delivering content, ways to make it interactive and the characteristics of the trainers.
Shift your focus to the specifics of this particular training, creating a plan to ensure you cover all the bases.
Get started by building an ad hoc team to help. Recruit subject matter experts, people with visual design skills, and writers to put this together. As with other projects, leading an effort doesn't mean you have to do everything yourself.
Working with your team, define the attendees' needs, especially if you have multiple audiences, such as sales and operations. The content and level of detail needed will likely differ dramatically.