An Iterative Approach to Designing a Brief Encounter Training Program

Abstract

Many methods for systems design and development entail an iterative approach to the development of training programs. It is intended that feedback from potential users be taken into account throughout the development and implementation of the system. Boies et al. (1985) have observed that, in practice, this is rarely done. In their development of the 1984 Olympic Message System (OMS), Boies et al. adhered to three design principles inherent to an iterative approach: (1) Early focus on user, task and training concerns; (2) empirical measurement; and (3) reformulation of the goals and procedures based on user feedback. The present paper describes our application of these principles in designing a short, informal program for training college faculty in the use of an expensive audio-visual system. Our successful application of Boies et al.'s principles to an already existing system, where there is little opportunity to make hardware modifications, and even to a situation which demands that the training period be very brief, attests to the power and flexibility of this approach.