6 Causes IT Simulation Coaching Is Lacking The Mark
Why your IT simulation training misses the mark
You know the joke. Call an IT pro with a problem and they will say, “Have you tried turning it off and on again?” Worse, it’s a techie hack that actually works, much to the horror of less experienced workers. Still, your IT team needs training, and not just computer issues. Unfortunately, this training doesn’t seem to work that well for your resident computer gurus. What exactly is the problem and how can it be fixed? Here are 6 reasons why your IT simulation training activities are missing out.
6 reasons why IT simulations don’t achieve the goal
1. Lack of realism
IT people often rage against representations of hackers on television. But it can be difficult to develop realistic training scenarios. Many simulations for non-tech geeks test an employee’s reactions to intense emotional situations. For IT, the problems they encounter are largely human versus machine, which is difficult to simulate. Talk to your team. Find out what kind of workout they want. They may want to learn how to translate Tech-Speak into English. Often their colleagues ignore IT precautions because they are explained in terms they do not understand. You could have an IT staff conduct simulation training where they need to break down a technical problem in plain text. They should learn to do this without patronizing or alienating their colleagues.
2. Sets the wrong note
It’s a pretty valid stereotype that everyone in the IT sector is an avid gamer. They have a certain mindset about gamification and simulation. You’re used to this intense, detailed, and immersive world. So a simple 2D simulation may seem like a toy and they may not take it seriously. Avoid mundane role-play scenarios. Instead, ask them to activate the machine. For example, a simulation could depict a scenario in which the boss was phished. The IT employee then has to access the boss’s system or smartphone and repair the damage. Give them a tight window of time and have the ‘boss’ call every ten minutes to nag. Have other “work colleagues” call and interrupt with “stupid problems” like they would on a normal day.
3. Obsolete
The tech world is constantly changing. IT itself is so diverse and the layperson knows very little about it. Your IT team manages e-mails, maintains the server, repairs damaged equipment, develops office databases and much more. Each of these is a different sub-segment of IT. But we often unknowingly hire a person and expect them to do everything. They won’t say they can’t because they want the job. In addition, the rest of us are so little exposed to technology that we don’t know the difference. Still, in a professional setting, you need to break down these segments and develop simulations to cover them all. However, if your simulation contains a virus that is a month old, the simulation is useless against an updated tactic. IT simulation training needs to be up to date to be effective.
4. No emotional connection
When we think of the IT guy, we often think of the robot stereotype. We envision cold, callous super geniuses who computers can conjure up just by typing on a keyboard. In reality, the IT girl or guy is just like us, and emotional connectivity is an important part of their education. If they can “feel” something during the simulation training, they are more likely to retain their knowledge. Unfortunately, IT simulations often focus on jargon and tech to the detriment of mood. If you want your IT department to perform better on their simulation training activities, you should aim for the human side. Your technical skills are important, but empathy is also crucial. Also, a little training in emotional intelligence can help make them seem less … robotic … to the rest of the team. After all, even the world’s greatest hacker needs human knowledge to survive offline.
5. No follow-up or feedback
The simulation checks all boxes. It’s realistic, emotionally compelling, and sets the tone. But employees don’t know how they fared or where they need to improve because there is no feedback. They need to follow up with hindsight with tailored recommendations and suggestions that target their problem areas. For example, what steps they missed or related skills to work on. They may know they struggled through the simulation but don’t know how to fix the problem. Personalized resource recommendations lead you in the right direction and give you the opportunity to continuously improve.
6. Not on the plane
Another reason your simulation-based training may miss the mark is because it’s just too challenging or too easy. Either the employees know the subject inside out and then already have the necessary experience. Or the situation / problem you are dealing with is above your “grade”. For example, it is usually a task that is the responsibility of the head of the IT department and may be too complex for team members. Because of this, you need to do a pre-evaluation before the simulation and design it to suit your needs. Identify their job responsibilities, level of experience, and common barriers to making them relevant.
diploma
IT simulation training is a sensitive issue because IT is largely technical. Other departments can simulate sales pitches, compliance scenarios or even GPS tutorials. It’s important because an untested GPS can literally land you in a ditch. It can be a little more difficult for IT to replicate technology-based office tasks. And if you don’t design these simulations properly, they’re pointless. Some mistakes to avoid including excessive playfulness during gamification. Keep scenarios realistic and contextual, no five keystroke breaking into Fort Knox! And update your course regularly to cover technological developments.
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