Honorable Mention - 1998 EPSS Design Contest

U S West
Network Tester Job Task Simulator
and Performance Support Tool

Description and Purpose:

Need: Create an alternative to a 360 day traditional learning strategy for the deployment of a new 3^rd party GUI Network Testing Environment

Purpose: Enable 2000 Network Tester to become familiar with and effectively use a new 3^rd party GUI application and support the ongoing integration of new testing procedures into the environment.

Solution: A performance-based job/task simulator that lets the Tester select the learning scenarios from a Task List Selection Menu. Each scenario guides the Tester from task initiation through task completion. Throughout the task performance the Tester can secure additional context sensitive support via the right mouse button. Additionally, the task support can be used as stand alone support while using the actual GUI application. All content maintenance is done by the customer in the database and is totally separate from software.

Prior State:
Vendor alternative:4 hour classroom environment for 2000 Network Testers; 120 hours of on-sight mentoring after training, 1.4 million cost.

Audience: Job experience/skills/business knowledge

• data communications
• telecommunication network testing
• troubleshooting and circuit design

• 50 % reduction in training time
• continuous improvement -
  • system/content maintenance
  • new testing scenarios integration
• decreased lost opportunity by 50 %
• learning and performance support available 24 X 7
• all content is maintained by the customer
• eliminated training associated expenses e.g. scheduling, facilities, etc.

Human Performance Engineers:
Ron Barela, 303 685-0258, rxbarel@uswest.com
Jeff Kligora, 303 685-0262, jkligor@uswest.com