Instructional design for training: A case study on educating computer users in complex tasks

The development and implementation of a training program for users of a database accounting system in an R&D laboratory are discussed. The goal of the training program is to instruct these users, account administrators, in complex tasks, such as selecting the right accounting reports for the purposes out of over 120 options or customizing their report data and displays. Usability tests of prior instructions showed that the instructions did not help these users take advantage of database capabilities to perform complex tasks. To help users adapt their system to their complex tasks, this training program will employ cases drawn from actual problems with accounting tasks in the laboratory. Instruction will focus on the match between users´ actual task goals and methods and various program capabilities, i.e., strategies for choosing the best of many possible methods, strategies for accessing the information users need and for evaluating choices, and error management