5 Step Process to Developing Custom PLM Courseware

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By Barb Nash

We are seeing more and more customers who are choosing to train their PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) users using customized training materials that are suited to their company’s environment, best practices, and processes. Being trained using the company’s environment on concepts that users need-to-know versus those that are nice-to-know helps make users more comfortable and productive right from go-live. When taking on these projects we work collaboratively with the customer and apply the following 5 step process:

The activities involved in each of these steps are detailed below:

1. Initiation/Proposal

Determine project objectives and scope of course (e.g., CAD and/or non-CAD Document Management, Project Management, etc.).
Determine target audience (e.g., CAD users, PLM experience).
Determine roles (e.g., Design Engineer, Viewer, or Project Manager).
Determine deliverables (e.g., printed manual, ebook, web-based training, videos, and/or interactive simulations) and associated formats.
Determine delivery methods (e.g., instructor-led, web-based, or both).
Define preliminary course outline and estimate costs.

2. Planning

Gather existing company content, standards, and best practices.
Obtain access to PLM system (e.g., VPN, remote desktop).
Confirm course outline, dataset, deliverables, etc.
Establish schedule to fit implementation, migration, and go-live plans.
Establish communication plan and logistics.

3. Development

Set up orientation sessions to ensure custom processes are understood.
Develop DRAFT1 of courseware, delivering modules as completed.

4. Review

Client review of courseware as modules are completed.
Conduct pilot training to obtain additional feedback, if applicable.

5. Produce Final Deliverables

Implement review feedback into courseware.
Produce final deliverables.
Receive acceptance from client.

We’ve worked with customers using various PLM systems including PTC’s Windchill products, ENOVIA V6 from Dassault Systemes, and Autodesk’s Vault Professional. However, we can also apply the process to any custom PLM training project. Global training delivery services and translation services can also be provided and incorporated into the process.