Design, Implementation, and Evaluation of a Virtual Meeting Tool-Based Innovation for UML Technology Training in Global Organizations

End-user training is complicated to implement in global corporations whose activities are typically scattered across multiple sites in different countries and leverage information systems in various ways. This is especially true in global software development where the sites may leverage a development tool for totally different purposes. Web-based Virtual Meeting Tools (VMT) enable synchronous communication globally through interactive audio, online chats, video, and the sharing of presentations. They provide potentially a cost effective way to train even complex topics to large numbers of people in global settings. Few industrial experiences from the design and use of VMT-based training innovations have been reported. This paper draws upon a case study in a global corporation to describe the design, implementation, and evaluation of a training innovation, consisting of a set of courses delivered by means of a VMT and conference calls, to support the global deployment of a Unified Modeling Language (UML) modeling tool and to develop UML modeling skills. Evaluation is based on interviews to verify 1) the impacts of the innovation on skills, knowledge and motivation, 2) perceived learner satisfaction with respect to the innovation. The innovation proved successful in improving skills, knowledge, and motivation in the case organization and learners were satisfied with it. Other organizations may benefit from using VMT to train people to use similar complex information systems for supporting global software development.