The Clearly Podcast

Train Your Users Early

Summary

This week we talk about the benefits of training your users in the early stages of an implementation project. We address why you may choose to do this and the benefits. 

The traditional approach is based on a overloading users at the end of a project and generally leaving them to it. This approach has merit as memories fade over time - for some of us sooner rather than later!

When you train early and often, users become more engaged with the project and through many interactions over time, are better able to use the developments when delivered.

We discuss some of the techniques to help make this work and our experiences of getting it both right and wrong.

Transcript

Andy: Welcome, everyone. Today we're discussing the importance of training users on Power BI at the start of a project rather than at the end. I'll hand it over to Shailan to explain why this is crucial.

Shailan: We all agree it's important to train users early. By doing so, users understand what's possible with Power BI, preventing unrealistic expectations and overly complex reports. If users are accustomed to Excel, they might try to replicate Excel reports in Power BI, missing out on unique features. Early training helps them appreciate Power BI's capabilities.

Andy: Exactly. Combining training and specification early helps users understand what they can achieve, sparking excitement and creativity. They begin to see new possibilities beyond their old Excel habits.

Tom: Training early is essential, especially for those core to the project. Without it, users may have limited ideas about Power BI's potential, affecting the quality of specifications. Not every user needs training immediately, but key users should be trained at the project’s outset to maximize business value.

Andy: Right. Early training also simplifies the complexity of Power BI reports. Users learn to interact with these tools effectively, avoiding issues during go-live.

Tom: It’s also crucial to understand that Power BI allows for dynamic reports, eliminating the need for multiple static reports. Teaching users to use filters and slicers efficiently is key.

Shailan: Agreed. We’ve seen users create hundreds of repetitive reports. Showing them how to use filters and slicers can simplify their work significantly.

Andy: We recently had a project with over 1000 pages of reports. By consolidating these into a few dynamic tabs, we dramatically improved usability.

Tom: Definitely. The complexity of Power BI reports requires structured training. It’s not just about development but also about effective user interaction and ongoing training throughout the project lifecycle.

Andy: Let's talk about training programs. We offer comprehensive user training courses focused on using Power BI reports, filtering data, exporting data, and more. These sessions are different from developer-focused training, which covers data modeling and report creation.

Shailan: Our user training can be as brief as an hour for a high-level overview or extend to a full day for in-depth understanding. It’s tailored for end-users, helping them utilize existing reports and even create their own.

Andy: Different users need different training. Some just need to know how to use reports, while others might want to build their own. We tailor our training to meet these varied needs.

Tom: Even when clients want to develop their own reports, it's important to train different audiences appropriately. Early training ensures users understand Power BI’s features, but ongoing training is essential for successful rollouts.

Shailan: Classroom-style training is far more effective than just watching recorded videos. Active engagement and interaction with a trainer are crucial.

Tom: Videos can supplement training, especially for new hires, but they can't replace hands-on, face-to-face workshops.

Andy: Agreed. Training is vital both at the start and end of the project to ensure users remember and effectively use the new tools. Structured, interactive training helps achieve this goal.

Tom: Exactly. Training should be an ongoing effort, not a one-time event, to accommodate new features and ensure user proficiency.

Shailan: Indeed. Workshops facilitate better learning and understanding than passive video watching.

Andy: That wraps up our discussion. Training users early and continuously is key to successful Power BI implementation. Thanks for joining us today.

Shailan: Thanks, everyone.

Tom: Thank you. Bye.

Andy: Have a great day!