Custom training
In the Microsoft Dynamics 365 (D365) projects, most companies try to use the standard out-of-the-box functionality as much as possible. That may not be possible at all times, especially if your company has unique processes that require changes to D365 through extensions or the addition of ISV solutions. Ideally, standard D365 training materials should satisfy the vast majority of your company’s needs. However, more may be needed. Let’s dive into whether custom training is right for every area or not.
If you are utilizing standard D365 online training and faced with the challenge described above, would you immediately request custom online training for all the gaps? If so, you would be jumping the gun. To understand why that is, you need to better understand the relationship between the type of training content and the learner community who needs it. There are certain functional areas in D365 implementations that are traditionally extended, like operations and customer service. There is more nuance and uniqueness involved in these areas. As a result, there will be gaps between standard D365 training and what your learners will need. Similarly, your company may implement extensions to areas that are not traditionally extended, like accounting and purchasing. For example, your business may require some things to be handled differently in the cost accounting area. These two examples are similar in some ways but very different in others. You may begin to think that there is a need for custom training for both scenarios equally.
I urge you to show patience and look at one more variable before deciding to invest in custom training for both examples; the learner community. The learner community represents not only the number of learners but also their level of sophistication of them. Let me explain. If the learner count is low, as it would be in the cost accounting area, then the overall return on investment to create custom training will be lower. These learners are also very capable and have lots of experience in their functional areas. Only a few people in your company would benefit from this custom training which would be created at a certain cost. In a situation like this, it makes more sense to write a job aid or use an instructor to cover the content one-on-one with the select employees that will benefit. However, if the learner count is high, as it would be in the warehouse operations area, then you should definitely consider creating or purchasing custom training to be added to your standard D365 training. Also, there is usually a high turnover in these functional areas and the learners may not be as familiar with new technology. The training should be available to them in a way that is very similar to how they will operate after the D365 go-live. Your company will benefit significantly by using training that fits the needs of learners exactly in these areas.
To determine if custom training is right for you, we recommend you follow a specific process. First, review the standard online training curriculum from your provider. Next, identify the gaps in the curriculum. Then you need to figure out how many people need this specialized content. If it is a low number of capable learners, it would make more sense to go the route of written instructions or in-person classroom training. If the number of people is much higher with an audience that needs exact instructions, then invest in custom online training. By following this train of thought, you will invest your time and effort into exactly what your learners need with the best possible return on your investment.
