CBT Decision Aid

When to Use CBT

Organizations have been using Computer Based Training (CBT) for years. But how do you decide if YOUR project should use CBT?

The CBT Decision Aid was created to help you. It summarizes a number of key considerations. Keep in mind -- this is a guideline only. You may want to add or delete some categories or change some of the values to better reflect your organization. If you make any changes, make sure you modify the total guidelines noted below.

To use the decision aid, assign a point value using the guidelines provided. If your total is less than 135, you probably should not consider CBT for this project. If the total is between 135 and 200, take a second look. If over 200, CBT may be a very good bet.

Computer Based Training Decision Aid

General Considerations

Consideration

Instructions

Points

Score
Learner Profile
1. Number of Learners If:
Fewer than 50 learners

0 points
Between 50 & 100 learners

5 points
More than 100 learners

10 points
2. Number of preferred training sites. If learners are at:
1 site

0 points
2 to 5 sites

5 points
more than 5 sites

10 points
3. Distance of learners from existing training site. If the average distance learners are from an existing training site:
Does not require overnight stay

0 points
Does require overnight stay

5 points
Requires many overnight stays

10 points
4. Number of times program will be offered. Once  0 points
 Two to five times

3 points
Six to 19 times

5 points
20 times or more  10 points
5. Frequency of updates. If  changes/updates will be needed:
Every three months or less

0 points
Between three and six months

5 points
Six months or more  10 points
6. Development time available. If  training must be available in:
Less than three months

0 points
Three to six months

5 points
Six months or more

10 points
7. Preferred learning style. If learners prefer:
Group learning

0 points
Independent learning

10 points
8. Preferred training schedule. If  it is more appropriate to:
Set training schedules 3 points
Allow learners to set schedules

10 points
9. Current computer proficiency. If  learners:
Don't know how to use a computer and don't need a computer for their job

0 points
Don't know how to use a computer and do need a computer for their job

5 points
Know how to use a computer

10 points
10. Current learner skill level. If  learners:
All have the same skill level

5 points
Have widely varying skill levels

10 points
11. Need for individualized remediation. If  learners probably:
Won't need remediation

5 points
Will need remediation

10 points
12. Consistency. If  consistency of instruction is:
Not important

0 points
Somewhat important

5 points
Very important

10 points
13. Need for performance tracking. If  performance tracking across multiple courses or modules is:
Not needed

0 points
Desirable

5 points
Required

10 points
14. Content. If  skills are:
Interpersonal

5 points
Technical

10 points
15. Content already available on CBT. If  CBT program:
Must be developed to meet requirements

0 points
Can be purchased and modified to meet requirements

5 points
Can be purchased for use without modification

10 points
© 1997 Adams Consulting Group. All Rights Reserved

Sub-total

Corporate Considerations

Consideration

Instructions

Pts
Management's past experience with CBT. If  past experience with CBT was:
    Not favorable
    Neutral
    Very favorable
0
5
10
General view of technology. If  management views computer technology as:
    Awful
    A necessary evil
    Great
0
5
10
Budgeting scheme. For cost comparisons, if development costs:
    Are separated from costs of delivery
    Are included with delivery costs
0
10
Availability of hardware at learner site. If  hardware at learner site is
    Not available
    Available but has to be upgraded
    Available
0
5
10
Cash flow. If  cash flow is:
    Slow
    OK
    Good
0
5
10
Managements perception of person making recommendation. If  person making recommendation:
    Has a poor track record
    Has a great track record
0
10
Availability and skills of project management staff. If  staff can:
    Not manage a CBT project
    Manage project
0
10
Availability of production hardware. If  production hardware is:
    Not available
    Available but has to be upgraded
    Not needed
    Available
0
5
10
10
Availability and knowledge of CBT design and authoring language. If  staff:
    Does not know anything about authoring
    Will buy off-the-shelf CBT
    Can design and author CBT
0
5
10
Availability of hardware troubleshooters. If  troubleshooters:
    Cannot be made available
    Can be made available
0
10
Availability of content experts. If  content questions can be answered and experts
    Cannot be made available
    Can be made available
0
10
Use of existing trainers. If  trainers now on staff:
    Will no longer be needed
    Can be transferred to new positions
    Can be used on CBT projects
0
5
10
© 1997 Adams Consulting Group. All Rights Reserved Total     

© 1997 Adams Consulting Group. All Rights Reserved

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