Whenever I come across a training module presented to me either told to me, or in a power point form, I always ask for an outline from the trainer. There have been times where a trainer could not present one and I always ask 'then how were you able to come up with the module without an outline?' I guess some felt the need that they did not need an outline to begin with. Why is having an outline important?Being a trainer, an outline is important because it is the basis of how you will be presenting your training program to your learners. Let me show you what advantages an outline can give you.
- Check Your Content
Relevant or Irrelevant?
Some trainers make the mistake of doing a mix-n-match approach to creating a training module/program. They just grab ideas or topics they researched on and just make a collage of topics – not necessarily relevant nor fitting to the module/program that they want to present. Myth: The more topics there are, the better.
Some feel that the more topics they have in the module, it shows they are knowledgeable somehow since they have a lot to present. Sure, it lengthens the program especially if you have a lot of time to kill. But does it really help your learners? Do your learners need to know all the topics you have presented? Are they relevant and helpful?
Fact: Less is more.
Look at all the topics you have. Break them down to parts and ask yourself if each topic you have right now is relevant to what you want your learners to learn. Remember the objective or purpose of the training program. Which of your topics will help you achieve the objective you have stated?
Collapsible or Non-Collapsible?
One thing I have learned in my years in training and development is that you have to be ready for anything. Most of the time, your training days gets reduced because your company needs people on the front line – FAST. Therefore, be prepared that that 3-week training can change to a week and a half or less.
I always advised my trainers to make sure their module is collapsible. What do I mean by this? It means that make sure that each module can be a standalone. When training durations get lessened, trainers can just pull out the module with the topic/s that their learners need to know given the amount of training time. Plus, an advantage to having a collapsible module is that when you want to have up-training or a mini-re-training sessions with the existing workforce, you can use the same modules without having to create a new one just for the purpose.
To Include or Not To Include?
I want you to do this. Look at the topics you have. Look at how you presented them. Now put yourself in your learner's shoes.
Ask yourself these questions:
1) Is this topic easy to understand on my own or not?
2) Can I learn it on my own?
3) How much time do I need to spend to learn this?
As a trainer, why do you think did I ask you to that? I wanted you to be aware of what you are presenting to your learners. If the topic is basic, simple, no need to expound on information and can be given to your learners as a 'homework' e.g. you-can-read-this-when-you-get-home, then do so. You can tell your learners to read them and then the next day, if there are still things they need clarification on – you can answer those questions then and there. Plus, giving them homework such as these, will give you additional time to concentrate on teaching them topics they really need to know and are relevant to their job.
- Go with the Flow
Having an outline shows your the flow of your training program. The beginning, the middle and the end. Looking at your outline, you should see in your head how it will all play out. You can also see if the topics you have put in place will help you achieve your objective. Outlines help you to not stray off the topics needed to be discussed. It keeps you on track and not end up guessing what the next power point slide is going to be about as you go through your presentation.
- Organized or Scatter-nized
Call me OCD but I am very meticulous when making outlines. I try to include all that needs to be included on an outline which includes topic titles, topic objectives, topic samples (if needed), power point slide numbers for the topic, topic activities, materials needed and so on and so forth. Having an outline will make it easier for you to update your modules, whether you are revising it or removing ones that does not apply to your learners anymore. Better to be organized than have everything scattered around, right?