(138d) Instructional Design as a Key Enabler for New Technology Implementation

The global implementation of a new process automation platform at Dow Chemical incorporated the application of instructional design principles to minimize cost and learning time and improved the implementation efficiency across geographies and chemical process technologies. Instructional design provided a disciplined approach to translating the features of new technology into desired performance of the technology user. This required an understanding of the impact and features of the new technology and the existing work processes and routines of the learner.

Instructional design work was imbedded within the technology development process and associated stage gate reviews and scheduling to enable same-time release the technology and training. Training content development time and cost were reduced by coordinating the work of technical writers, instructional designers, technical experts and coaches to ensure technical references, classroom materials, and student learning objectives were aligned with client requirements.

Successive versions of the technology required routine overhaul of the training materials. Consistent learning objectives and re-usable exercises enabled efficient course edits. A disciplined approach to curriculum design included effective modularization of courses, work process based course sequencing and prompt formalization of courses within global corporate learning systems for student planning and class scheduling.

Learning time and cost were reduced by: - designing training delivery with the instructor leading the class remotely using networked workstations and local coaches supporting students completing detailed exercises - designing the training material for the context of the learner; integrating existing work processes and routine tasks and typical chemical processes with process automation simulations.