Windows NT 4.0/Office 97 Training for Entergy - Options Evaluation
Introduction This paper addresses the CBT issue for the upcoming Windows NT 4.0 and Office 97 rollout. It is a continuation of the discussion of an Entergy Corporate University held between Entergy and ISI on 01/08/98 and 01/12/98.
Background In a meeting on 01/08/98 representatives of Entergy and ISI met to discuss two issues and how they relate to each other. The two issues discussed where:
  • The upcoming corporate wide NT 4.0/Office 97 rollout and the need for corporate training.
  • The vision of an Entergy Corporate University to provide CBT and knowledge sharing throughout the corporation.

The relation between these two issues is that the idea of the Entergy Corporate University should be the framework for the execution of the NT 4.0/Office 97 training and, at the same token, the training courses should be the first content for the Entergy University.

Pursuant to this meeting, ISI presented a rough prototype for the Entergy University based on ISI's WebFrame framework. Additionally, ISI and Entergy agreed to review some option pursuant to the development of the NT 4.0/Office 97 training. Those options are presented in this paper. 

NT 4.0/Office 97 training The rollout will start on 02/09/97. A classroom training session will be available with the rollout. Additionally to the classroom training, Entergy would like to provide CBT with the following objectives:
  • Provide an alternative to classroom training to the end users.
  • Provide additional and deeper training to the users who took the class room training.
  • Provide an ongoing knowledge repository for knowledge refreshment.
  • Possibly creating a brand product for resale outside Entergy.

The context of this paper focuses on on the NT4.0 part of the training as it was determined that NT4.0 training takes priority over Office 97 training. However, similar consideration as discussed in this paper apply to the Office 97 training.
Entergy Corporate University A growing inventory of CBT courses and a growing corporate knowledge base in conjunction with the refinement of the EntergyNET provides for both the necessity and the possibility for one central, easy to navigate repository and access point for these CBT courses and knowledge database. The objectives of the Entergy Corporate University include (a separate proposal for the creation of the Entergy University framework will be delivered to Entergy ):
  • Better utilization of existing corporate knowledge.
  • Repository for additional corporate knowledge.
  • Creation of internal certification programs.
  • Scheduled knowledge dissemination based on prescriptions.
  • Creation of position based training programs.
  • Possibly creating a brand product for resale outside Entergy.
Boundary Conditions The following boundary conditions where identified for the NT 4.0/Office 97 training:
  • Training needs to be delivered through the EntergyNET.
  • Downloads are not an option.
  • Technology needs to conform to Entergy's IT standards. More specifically this entails:
    • Browser is Netscape 3 or Netscape 4. MS Internet Explorer is currently not an option.
    • ActiveX solutions are not currently supported on the EntergyNET.
    • Plugins are generally not supported on the EntergyNET and not desirable. This needs to be confirmed for the Macromedia Shockwave plugin.
  • Training needs to be delivered to end users at an acceptable speed.
  • Training should include Entergy Desktop specifics including:
    • Navigation to Entergy's corporate apps.
    • Training on shares that are connected by default.
    • Discussion of Entergy specific login scripts and automatic SMS functionality.
    • Discussion of standard Entergy.com NT groups and associated rights.
  • Training should include an introduction to the EntergyNET (how to get there and how to navigate top level)
  • Training should provide Entergy with the ability to evolve according to their needs.
  • Training needs to provide Entergy with ability to include interface to corporate university for score tracking, bookmarking etc.
  • Reasonable interactivity and audio.
  • Fully or at least partially available 02/09/98.
Decision Matrix The following matrix contains a description of the currently perceived options, a discussions of pros and cons of each option, associated cost and a decision matrix for weighting the boundary conditions against every single option.

 
Option 1 Option 2 Option 3 Option 4 Option 5
Description ISI developed courseware, estimated 2-3 hours (based on booklet). Material reviewed and approved by Entergy (including interactivity and sound).

 

 Ongoing lease of NetG training and negotiations with NetG to include an interface to the Entergy University.
Delivery of completed module 04/30/97. Delivery of complete html training material w/o sound and limited interaction by 02/09/97. Delivery of completed module 04/30/97. Delivery of prioritized section in end deliverable quality by 02/09/97. Delivery of completed module 04/30/97. Interim leased training from NetG or Executrain. Delivery of completed module 04/30/97. Interim training through classroom.

Cost

 2-3 hours @ $28,000 = $54,000 - $84,000 2-3 hours @ $28,000 = $54,000 - $84,000 2-3 hours @ $28,000 = $54,000 + $84,000 + cost of NetG lease for 3 month 2-3 hours @ $28,000 = $54,000 + $84,000 Cost of NetG lease plus development cost for Entergy University integration
Pros Module will be developed specifically for Entergy needs and natively integrate with the Entergy University framework.

All assets will be with Entergy, knowledge transfer for maintenance and in-house evolution possible if desired.

Local provider (ISI) will be able to accommodate Entergy needs better than subscription solution.

 

 Full training available immediately.

.
All areas will be covered by 02/09/97. Most important areas will be covered by 02/09/97 with full interactivity, scoring, sound. Full interim training available immediately. No additional cost.

No confusion to the end user by evolution/change of training material. 

Product Branding of final deliverable definitely possible.
Cons Final training will not be completed to full interactivity/audio until 04/30/97 Final training will not be completed in all areas until 04/30/97 Additional cost through interim NetG lease.

Switch of training course 04/30/97 to final deliverable may confuse end users.

 No CBT until 04/30/97. Only classroom training. Branding not possible.

Incorporation into Entergy University might be difficult.

Product will not incorporate Entergy specifics.

Vendor might resist any product evolution/costumization for Entergy.

Assets are not with Entergy and cannot be reused, no knowledge transfer.

Ongoing lease cost very expensive.
Condition Weight

Decision Matrix
Delivery through EntergyNET 500 10 10 8 10 8
Uses downloads -500 0 0 3 0 3
Runs in Netscape 500 10 10 9 10 7
Uses ActiveX -500 0 0 0 0 0
Uses plugins -500 0 0 0 0 0
Speed 100 8 8 6 7 2
Navigation to Corp. Apps 30 10 10 8 8 0
Entergy Spec. Shares 30 10 10 8 8 0
Login Scripts/SMS 30 10 10 8 8 0
Entergy NT User groups 30 10 10 8 8 0
Introduction to EntergyNET 15 10 10 8 8 0
Evolution ability 80 10 10 8 8 0
Interface for Entergy University 80 10 10 8 8 0
Interactivity 100 7 7 9 8 10
Audio (on demand) 80 10 10 8 8 0
Fully available 02/09/98 100 5 2 8 0 10
Partially available 02/09/98 500 5 5 8 2 10
Product Branding 50 10 10 10 10 0
Consistency 80 7 7 5 3 10
Knowledge transfer 15 10 10 10 10 0
Total 19,460 19,160 17,350 16,390 14,000