If your organization is embarking on an HRIS systems implementation project, or any kind of systems project, job aids may be a convenient and cost-effective solution for training employees. In fact, job aids, if properly designed, may be all that employees need to learn how to use a new system.
 
Notes Ann Parkman, President of CEP, The Center for Effective Performance, “We find that organizations overlook job aids as a potential solution.  Job aids are extremely effective in providing employees with the information they need to use new systems to perform required job tasks.  We have completed systems projects where no classroom training was even required.  That saves substantial training development costs.  More important, organizations can save enormous costs in lost productivity by not sending employees to the classroom unnecessarily.”
 
For example, when Cingular Wireless was converting to a PeopleSoft employee self-serve system, they turned to CEP for development of online job aids.  More than 19,000 employees at all levels and job functions learned how to use the new system using the job aids, and also had convenient tools for accessing information as needed back on the job.  
 
CEP has analytical tools for determining if job aids are an appropriate stand- alone solution or should be used in combination with some full training.  Adds Parkman, “By analyzing the steps involved in performing each critical task correctly, and the knowledge level employees already have, we can determine if job aids are the best solution.” 
 
Parkman also emphasizes the importance of developing well-designed, easy to navigate job aids that:
--Include only information relevant to completing a specific task
--Are written from the performer’s point of view (not how the system was designed)
--Enable users to find information quickly and easily
 
If you need advice and support on your next systems implementation project, call the workforce performance experts at CEP at 770.458.4080.