When we met with Wayne Kerr, Director of Audit Learning, to discuss training our auditors on the updated Leases standards, we faced several unique challenges:

  1. Virtual Transition: Normally, this major update would involve multiple live training sessions across various offices in a month-long “road show.” However, with COVID-19 still a concern, we decided to switch to a fully virtual format.

  2. Engagement: The training spanned over 8 hours, and Wayne wanted to avoid a monotonous voice-over PowerPoint presentation.

  3. Comprehensive Coverage: Despite the format change, all the detailed technical information needed to be included in the course.

I proposed a solution where Wayne would record introductions and sign-offs for each section, interspersed with vignettes to explain complex topics. We decided that the training should primarily focus on interactive activities and case studies, with a comprehensive training manual for the dense technical content in each module. This approach addressed all our challenges:

  1. The course was designed entirely for a virtual format.

  2.  The varied video segments added engagement.

  3.  All technical content was included in the training manual, making it accessible to all learners.

With the plan in place, my colleague Beth Weimer and I strategized on tackling the project. We broke it down into three components: video production, the training manual, and the course structure. To manage complexity, we worked separately on different parts, agreeing upfront on icons, colors, and fonts to ensure a cohesive look. I handled the videos and the manual, while Beth focused on the course.

Our studio shot all the videos, and I processed the raw footage, keyed out the greenscreen, and designed the visuals, incorporating animated icons and talking head segments. Once the design was set, the rest was straightforward production work. The manual was a monumental task due to its extensive technical content. Due to the auditor’s preference for Microsoft Word, and working right up to the time of publishing, I kept the 220-page manual in Word, streamlining the process by compiling and bookmarking final versions as PDFs.

After completing the 31 videos for the seven modules, I sent them to Beth for integration into the course. Once the manual was finished, she attached it as well.

One of the 31 videos and Training Manual Cover. Tap to play

The reception was outstanding. Learners appreciated the engaging video content and the comprehensive manual for reference. This project became a cornerstone of our submission for the Training Apex awards and was highlighted in their best practices!