4.4 Training implementation - AWS Prescriptive Guidance
OverviewBest practicesAdditional steps

4.4 Training implementation

Overview

Training implementation is about launching the activities set forth in the training strategy and plan (Envision the Future, 3.4), which provide the structure and focus for identifying training that needs to be delivered, and the process for developing and delivering the training program. When you implement the training strategy and plan, consider delivering a training effort that is consistent with the training your organization typically conducts. Meaningful training that is not disruptive to an employee's accustomed workflow decreases resistance and helps employees respond readily to change. Additionally, using a data-driven approach to gather training preferences from the AWS Learning Needs Analysis (LNA) tool and applying those preferences to the training plan help you obtain the buy-in and desire to complete training from employees.

Best practices

The change acceleration team should focus on quickly assessing developmental and training needs, identifying training gaps, aligning with existing training practices, and delivering training to support the future state model.

Assumptions

  • The training strategy and plan have been validated and approved by the cloud leadership team, the executive sponsor, the learning and development (L&D) team, the HR team, and the internal communications team.

  • Leaders and champions have been involved in the training planning phase and are committed to participating in training activities according to the plan.

  • The training strategy and plan take the full cloud transformation plan and roadmap into account, and mitigate any SME bandwidth.

  • Any courses that are not part of the AWS Training and Certification course curriculum will be assigned to stakeholders and customized for each stakeholder group.

Focus areas

This workstream focuses on the following areas:

  • AWS Learning Needs Analysis (LNA)

  • Training setup 

  • Training development (for custom needs and non-AWS learning curriculum)

  • Training deployment 

  • Monitoring and reporting 

Training plan checklist

Use the following checklist as a reference guide throughout your organization's cloud transformation process.

Note

The following checklist is not an exhaustive list, but it represents the activities that you would typically find in a training plan. Your validated and approved training strategy and plan should include the full list of training activities. 

Area

Actions

AWS Learning Needs Analysis (LNA)

  • Identify the executive sponsor and provide the team structure.

  • Create a survey and provide the preview URL.

  • Review the survey with the executive sponsor and get their approval.

  • Confirm survey distribution logistics.

  • Distribute the survey to employees.

  • Provide survey response numbers.

  • Send reminder email to complete the survey.

  • Close the survey on the planned date.

  • Create a report and provide training recommendations.

Training setup

  • Validate the training strategy and plan, and ensure alignment with key cloud milestones such as  migration wave plans.

  • Create a training materials template (if needed) for non-AWS training courses. Validate AWS training courses based on the AWS LNA report.

  • Sign off on training materials and non-AWS training courses (if applicable).

  • Identify training needs by stakeholder group or cloud role (for example, engineers, developers, solutions architects, operations).

  • Onboard stakeholder groups to training plan.

  • Create the training curriculum.

  • Obtain approval and signoff on the training curriculum.

  • Develop the training production checklist.

  • Identify and onboard training developers (instructional designers) for non-AWS training courses.

  • Identify training material reviewers.

Training development

  • Assign stakeholder groups to training courses.

  • Develop draft training materials. 

  • Review and approve training materials.

  • Upload materials to a library or knowledge repository.

Training deployment

  • Draft the training calendar. 

  • Obtain approval and signoff on the training calendar.

  • Schedule training events, including specific AWS instructor-led trainings (ILTs).

  • Identify training participants based on the migration wave plan.

  • Enroll and notify training participants.

  • Conduct and support training activities.

Monitoring and reporting

  • Monitor the implementation of training development and deployment activities.

  • Capture attendance, questions, and feedback evaluations.

  • Update training materials based on feedback as necessary.

  • Update the training development and deployment report or scorecard.

For more information, see AWS Learning Needs Analysis.

Additional steps

To begin the implementation of the training plan, make sure that:

  1. The AWS LNA has been conducted and insights have been included in the training strategy and plan.

  2. The training strategy and plan have been validated and approved.

  3. The training activities checklist has been validated and approved.

  4. Monitoring and reporting mechanisms are in place.

The effective implementation of the training plan is critical for driving cloud adoption and achieving desired business outcomes. By following these best practices, using the AWS LNA, and implementing a comprehensive training plan, organizations can ensure that their workforce is properly skilled and prepared for the cloud transformation. This accelerates adoption and also maximizes the value realized from the cloud investment.