Thursday

BeFit

Developed online training for all new hires, globally, for P&G (HP was P&G’s IT Provider).

Case Study: Be Fit(2006)- Hewlett-Packard Education Services administers information technology (IT) at Proctor & Gamble (P&G). An online training program known as be fIT (”be fluent in IT”) introduces new hires to basic technology used at their P&G workstations and explains additional IT support and online training options. Hewlett-Packard requested that Armstrong Interactive (AI) redesign be fIT by conducting front-end analysis of the application, building interactivity to enhance the learning experience, and incorporating graphic design.

AI methodology:
AI projects follow a six stage methodology: alignment; analysis; design; development; transfer; and closeout. On-site visits, conference calls, and e-mail ensured clear communication between the client and AI at all stages of the project.
Alignment: Hewlett-Packard and AI signed a letter of engagement, describing the project itself; the objective, scope management, assumptions, risk; methodology, and deliverables; and the structure of the content, design, and programming/development teams.
Analysis: Based on analysis of both the client and the end user, the programming and the development team planned the interactive user interface. With technical support from IMS, AI provided the client with detailed product specifications.
Design: The design stage consisted of establishing a content outline, site map, wire frames, and concept screens for the new be fIT. The client received a design document that explained design decisions and provided guidelines for updates.
Development: AI students then wrote the content for the application, wrote and created the interactive components, and produced a prototype. Next, AI conducted usability testing, revising content and design as needed.
Transfer: To ensure a smooth transition from AI to the client, students established a warranty and a plan for long-term maintenance for the application. The client receive a CD, providing full access to all the files necessary to run and update the product.
Closeout: AI delivered the project closeout checklist to the client to finalize all outstanding deliverables and tie up all the loose ends of the project engagement.

End Product:
According to the client and end user analyses, be fIT needed to be well organized, visually attractive, and easy to use. The programming and development team developed an interactive, updatable, Flash-based, online application in Microsoft.net, Macromedia Studio 8, and Captivate. The design team created an appealing, professional interface. The content team provided the analytical, rhetorical, and marketing skills necessary to create clear text and seamless interactivity. The client expressed satisfaction with both the finished product with AI students: The students placed on our project were simply best in class…These students could work peer to peer with anyone, and that is both impressive and equally laudable.

Student Learning:- The be fIT project promoted student expertise in online training, programming, software development, interface design, and project management. Stepping outside of the traditional classroom to develop a real product for a real client enabled interdisciplinary teams of AI students to experience the ‘real world’-excellent preparation for the demands of today’s collaborative business environment.

Program Contacts:
Glenn Platt, Director, plattgj@muohio.edu
Peg Faimon, Asst. Director, faimonma@muohio.edu