In the session before lunch at Share 2012, Angela from Bristol-Myers Squibb is taking about implementing an effective SharePoint training program. Angela is the lead trainer for SharePoint at the Global Development and Medical Affairs (GDMA) division at BMS.

Key points:
– BMS is a large, global organization (more than 10,000 employees). The GDMA division has about 4,000 employees.
– Uses SharePoint 2007. Have a very customized approach to SharePoint. Could not use off-the-shelf training content.
– Service model at GDMA – resource-supported sites, or self-supported sites.
– The training strategy works within the service model. Developed three training programs – two for site owners (either in resource-supported or self-supported sites), and one for site members.
– … for site owners – delivered via in-person / classroom training. Worked well for US site owners; didn’t work so great for others outside of the US. Are developing e-learning materials for beyond-US site owners.
– … for site members – initially delivered virtually via Live Meeting / teleconferencing; since January 2012, have offered online training.
– … for both types of training – use SharePoint survey tools for evaluation. BMS’s learning management system is used for tracking.

– For the site owner curriculum; there are seven sessions:
– … General information session (1 hour)
– … Planning and Building (3 hours)
– … How to Structure Lists and Libraries – Part 1 (3.5 hours)
– … How to Structure Lists and Libraries – Part 2 (3 hours)
– … Customizing your SharePoint Site (2.5 hours)
– … Managing Meeting Workspace sites (1.5 hours)
– … SharePoint Surveys and InfoPath forms (3.5 hours)

– For site members (content contributors and visitors, all delivered via an online course):
– … Overview and demonstration of SharePoint (30 minutes)
– … Introduction to lists and libraries (1 hour)
– … Advanced knowledge of lists and libraries, eg., creating a personal view (1 hour)
– … My Site, with an emphasis on expertise location (30 minutes)

– Post-training – various ways are provided to support site owners after the site has been developed.
– … eg., discussion forum, weekly Q&A sessions, super users forum, platform for additional resources, etc.

Michael’s Comment
In terms of the Four Stage user adoption model in User Adoption Strategies, Angela talked mainly about Stage 2 – Cultivating Basic Concepts. Some of the ideas talk to Stage 3 (Embedded Champion strategy) and Stage 4 (Internal User Group).