Software simulations aren’t about recording your screen and the steps you’re taking to accomplish a task. You can do that, but it will be boring and have very little context, and employees won’t be motivated by that.
Employees should not be able to simply passively observe changes or even click through with no context. Instead, they should get hands-on experience woven into a scenario that helps them perform their job effectively using the new application.
It’s essential to guide non-technical employees through a complex task in company software. A well-crafted simulation can transform a daunting task into an engaging, educational journey. But what elements are essential to make these simulations functional and truly awesome?
In our increasingly digital workplace, the complexity of software tools can be overwhelming, especially for those without a technical background. Traditional training methods fall short; some modern methods aren’t suited to grasping tasks and learning how to do them.
Employees require (demand) software training but they’re only going to use it if helps them and not just because it’s available.
Bad training or the wrong type of training can be more harmful or unhelpful than no training at all. Then employees have to fumble through poor content and never find or learn what they need.
A modern method that’s great for some things but isn’t ideal for in-depth learning and more complex tasks is training videos. They’re great for short task-based skills but not ideal for learning new company software or more complicated processes that might span multiple objectives. Software training videos simply aren’t the best option for learning company software.
An effective software simulation offers a dynamic and interactive learning environment that delivers everything an employee needs for initially learning tasks with new or updated software. Performance support, such as job aids and videos, can provide further resources as reinforcement for later performance needs.
Imagine your team members not just reading about a feature or watching a demonstration but actively engaging with the software in a controlled, risk-free setting. They can experiment, make mistakes, and learn at their own pace. In this post, we’ll look at what elevates software simulations from good to exceptional, ensuring your employees gain confidence and competence in using your company applications.
The Elements Essential to Effective Software Simulations
I’ll cover the most important elements that make software simulations effective at a high level. Many sections will provide plenty of links for further reading if you’re interested.
So, read on to learn what you need to make a software simulation effective, helpful, and awesome so employees learn something and enjoy themselves while doing it.
Deep Knowledge of the Target Audience
No software simulation can be successful without knowing your target audience and their current skill level. It’s guaranteed to go over their heads if it’s too advanced.
This is one of the main reasons why training should be designed by an instructional designer rather than a subject matter expert (SME). SMEs are so good at what they do that they make assumptions about people’s knowledge and glide right past important steps.
An instructional designer shouldn’t do that because they always do a thorough needs analysis. Part of that analysis is understanding their target audience.
Knowing your target audience is the most important part of effective software simulations.
It could begin with understanding the technical skills of the workforce. You can ask questions such as the following.
- Who are the non-technical corporate employees that will be using the software?
- What are their existing knowledge and skill levels?
Gaining insights into their skills will help you tailor the simulation to meet their needs better. Consider conducting surveys or interviews to gather information about your target audience. This will help you identify any knowledge gaps or common challenges they may face when using the software.
When you get to know your audience, you can design scenarios and activities that address these specific pain points and resonate with them. This makes the simulation more relevant and engaging.
Engaging and Realistic Scenarios
An effective software simulation should immerse people in realistic scenarios that mirror real-life situations they may encounter while using the software. That makes the simulation more relevant, and we always like to say that relevance is the most essential part of any training.
If it’s not relevant, then why should employees care?
Scenario-based learning is always more effective because people connect with it as long as it’s done well. Scenarios should be interactive and engaging, allowing employees to click through and learn the process in a way that seems almost like they’re using the real thing.
The more realistic and applicable to the job, the more effective a software simulation will be.
For example, if the training is geared toward a salesperson using a customer relationship management (CRM) tool, create a scenario where employees must navigate contacting and properly documenting that contact in the CRM.
They can input customer data, track interactions, and filter for previous interactions so the conversation flows with the customer. By placing people in these simulated situations, they can practice using the software in a controlled environment before applying their skills in real-life situations.
Clear Performance Objectives
To ensure that your software simulation is effective, it’s essential to establish clear performance objectives rather than going the old-school route of learning objectives. What specific skills or tasks do you want employees to master by the end of the simulation that will help them do their jobs?
Learning isn’t something employees do simply to learn. They want to learn something that helps them do their jobs better. That’s why performance objectives are better than learning objectives.
Define measurable goals that align with project, department, and company objectives. For instance, if your software includes project management features, one performance objective could be for them to successfully create and manage a project timeline using the software’s tools.
By setting clear performance objectives upfront, you provide employees with something applicable to their jobs, making it more relevant and meaningfum.
Incorporating Interactive Elements
What’s a software simulation without interactive elements?
Nothing.
The software simulation won’t be effective if employees aren’t presented with realistic scenarios, asked to problem-solve, and actually do the process. We built a cool software simulation to help people use Microsoft Teams to create a quick meeting. It has you click through the process and build an email to send the meeting to employees.
Every part of it is interactive and requires constant engagement. A video wouldn’t have the same effect and could easily be tuned out.
Paired with a realistic scenario, hands-on experience enhances employee’s understanding of the software’s capabilities and boosts their confidence in using it.
Providing Clear Instructions and Feedback
Clear instructions are vital for guiding learners through the software simulation. That means providing context to what employees are doing and why they’re doing it. Using a tool to make a tutorial without providing context is dull and useless.
Provide step-by-step guidance on how to perform specific tasks or use particular features. A well-written script and engaging narration can make or break a software simulation. There’s a thin line between boring/dull and interesting and engaging.
A well-written script and engaging narration are essential to all effective training.
Ideally, there should be a guide that will walk employees through their tasks. And no, synthesized narrators aren’t engaging, not even the best of them. Personality and liveliness will draw people in and make learning more enjoyable.
In addition to clear instructions, timely feedback is crucial for learner progress. Provide immediate feedback on their actions within the simulation. If appropriate, provide feedback if mistakes are made. Give some encouragement that helps them understand why they’re doing what they’re doing.
Testing and Iterating for Improvement
While this isn’t something to include, it is something you need to do to ensure every element is as good as possible. No software simulation is perfect from the start. Testing your simulation with a small group and gathering feedback is essential. This feedback will help you identify any areas that need improvement or clarification.
Based on feedback, iterate and refine your simulation to enhance its effectiveness. Continuously test and gather feedback until you are confident that the simulation meets the desired performance outcomes.
Personalize the Learning Experience
Everyone is unique and has different requirements. Some employees need a bit more hand-holding, while others immediately take to new technology. For those more advanced users, give them an option to test out without taking any training.
To make your software simulation awesome, consider personalizing the learning experience as much as possible to what makes sense. You can personalize a learning experience in many ways to benefit employees and save them time.
It’s possible to modularize a software simulation and allow for a quick test that lets the user click through a process. If they pass, then they can move on to the next section. If not, they go through the training and learn the content.
There are numerous ways to personalize a learning experience. Explore your options and figure out the best way to do so for effective software simulations.
Wrap Up
Creating effective software simulations requires careful consideration of various elements. You should now have the basic building blocks to create better software simulations. They’re one of the best ways to improve employees’ skills without leaving them without the necessary tools to do their jobs.
You should grasp the basics of the following elements of creating quality software simulations:
- Understand your target audience
- Create engaging and realistic scenarios
- Set clear performance objectives
- Incorporate interactive elements
- Provide clear instructions and feedback
- Test and iterate for improvement
- Personalize the learning experience
Remember that an awesome software simulation goes beyond just teaching non-technical corporate employees how to use company software; it empowers them with confidence and competence in utilizing these tools effectively in their day-to-day work.
Investing time and effort into creating exceptional simulations can unlock a world of possibilities for employees’ growth and your company’s success. Schedule a free consultation to explore how we can help improve your next software launch and help employees use the tool more successfully.