The headline above is probably a bit more confident than it should be, as the three predictions we’re sharing are not set in stone, but will likely happen – and will have a significant impact on Operations & Maintenance Training programs across the board.
Here are some action items to plan ahead for:
1. Buying, but cautiously. The economy is doing somewhat better, but budgets are still where they were – tight. Leaner times aren’t a death knell for new technologies. They’ll still get implemented, but companies will take a much more cautious approach to make sure they’re implementing the right technology to meet the relevant requirement. This should happen all the time regardless, and does to some extent, but when we’re facing a sustained spell of economic hardship, dollars are looked at more closely.
Action item: If you are making requests for new training technologies, products or services, back it up with a compelling business case. Any new purchase must either reduce costs for the business or increase top line revenue. And you’ll need proof points to back this up. Consider options carefully.
2. Universal access to Training content. In 2013, we predicted that mobile deployment and distributed access to O&M virtual training content would take off. That optimistic goal didn’t come to fruition, and we found that companies were slower to adopt than anticipated. This year, we predict continued, cautious growth. Enterprises will start developing a mobile and tablet roadmap, and will tread carefully, for security, cost and ‘status quo’ mindset concerns.
Action item: As a training leader in your organization, you know by now that mobile deployment and distributed access is a question of ‘when’ and not ‘if’. Universal Web, mobile and tablet access will soon be the new normal. Partnering with a vendor that has every step worked out and has led numerous successful implementations will be critical. Send us a quick note here and let’s discuss.
3. Virtual Reality. Some new virtual and interactive technology will receive a disproportionate amount of attention. The best example will be Virtual Reality headsets, like the Oculus Rift or Sony’s Morpheus, estimated to hit the commercial market toward the later part of 2015. We are not doubting its innovative leap, but it presents risks as some might force it into training requirements without much analysis – or practical application. Case in point: The use (or over-estimation of use) of Google Glass and Augmented Reality in training. We explore this topic in depth here.
Action item: Not every new gadget or technology needs to be adopted or implemented – or even considered initially – unless it solves a problem that can’t be solved another, simpler way. Here’s a two-step rule to guide your evaluation:
1. The new ‘thing’ actually solves a problem.
2. The pain of adopting the new thing is less than just living with the problem.
Makes sense, right?
And beyond predictions, the new year also brings new inspiration for us at Heartwood.
“To avoid criticism, say nothing, do nothing, be nothing” – Aristotle
Get out there and change something! And be sure to reach out with your own 2015 predictions – either in the comments or at [email protected].
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