SOFTWARE INSTALLATION NOTES

TOPIC 1 IDENTIFICATION OF SOFTWARE TO BE INSTALLED

Computer Software
Computer software refers to a set of instructions that direct a computer on what to do. The
computer software can be classified into three ways according to purpose, acquisition and End–
user – License (EUL).
Classification according to purpose
Computer software is classified into two main categories:
- System software
- Application software

1) System software
Manages the operation of the computer itself, and makes sure that the computer works efficiently.
It enables the user to communicate with the computer and its hardware e.g. mouse.

Example of system software:

i). Operating system: It’s a set of programs that control and supervise the hardware resources of a
computer during processing. Examples are: Microsoft Windows 95/98/2000/XP/Vista/NT,
Macintosh OS, OS/2, CP/M, VMS, UNIX, MS-DOS

ii). Firmware: also referred to as stored logic, It’s a combination of both hardware and software
etched on a single silicon chip which accepts and interprets external commands from the user.

iii). Utility software: also called service programs, is a software that provides support to the
application software. It perform commonly used services that make certain aspects of computing
to go on more smoothly. Can also be defined as special programs used to enhance performance of
the system.

Functions of the utility software

- Formatting disk s
- Repairing diskettes
- Renaming files
- Sorting files
- Copying and deleting files
- Repairing damaged files, etc.
Examples of utility software:
system level, application utility, program translator, settings editor, test editor, sort editor,
graphics editor, file manager, calculator, time, backup utility, recovery utility,
compress/decompress utility, defragment utility, antivirus utility, diagnostic utility, sound player
utility, internet browsing utility, calendar utility.
iv). Networking software: It’s used to establish communication between two or more computers
by linking them using a communication channel e.g cables to create network. Also it enables
computers and other peripheral devices connected on a network to communicate and share
resources. Examples: Novel Netware and Linux

2) Application Software (Application Packages)

Are designed to help the end - user to accomplish specific tasks.
Application software are classified according to purpose and acquisition
Classification according to purpose
Application software can be either a general purpose or special purpose software. The general
purpose software such as word processors, spreadsheets, database and presentation software are
packaged and made available for general use.
Special purpose applications such as DTP, video editing and photo editing software are used to
carry out specific tasks.

Examples of application software are:

1. Word processor – for typing documents like letters e.g. Ms Word, Lotus, Word Pro,
WordStar
2. Database – for keeping records e.g. Ms Access, Dbase, FoxPro, Paradox
3. Spreadsheets –for calculations e.g. Ms Excel, Lotus 1-2-3, Quattro Pro.
4. Desktop Publishing (DTP) – designing publication like cards, pamphlets, magazines e.g.
Adobe PageMaker, Ms Publisher
5. Computer Aided Design – for technical drawing e.g. AutoCAD
6. Graphics software – for designing and manipulating graphics e.g. Corel Draw, Adobe
Photoshop.

Summary of computer software

COMPUTER SOFTWARE

Application Software
System Software

- Word processor
- Operating system - Spreadsheets
- Firmware - Database
- Utility software - Desktop Publishing Computer
- Networking software aided design
- Graphics software
 Classification according to Acquisition
An application software can be either in-house developed or an off-shelf software.
a). In-house developed (Custom program/ bespoke/ tailor – made / standard software )
These programs are designed/tailored to meet specific needs within the organization. e.g in banks
for managing their operations, airlines for booking, school for grading and test analysis etc.

b). Standard software (off the shelf) packages

These programs are developed by software engineers, packaged and made available for purchase
through a vendor or directly from developer e.g Microsoft office. Off-the –shelf software are
widely used because;
It takes less time to assess company’s needs, buy and install them
They are less expensive to acquire and maintain
They are readily available for almost any task
They are thoroughly tested before being released hence less chances of errors
Easily modified to meet specific user needs

Disadvantages
May not meet special needs
They are not as efficient as user made programs
When changes occur extra costs is usually needed from user
Not all packages are compatible with all computer system
They may have some features not needed by user which may take extra storage
c). General purpose software – are not written to solve any particular problem, and can be used
in different ways depending on the problem to be solved

Classification according to End – User Licence (EUL)

Software may be classified as open source(non-proprietary), proprietary or freeware.
Open source software – is a software whose source code (programmed set of instruction) is
freely made available to users. Users are encouraged to modify and distribute the modified
product.
Proprietary software – are software whose source code is hidden from users. Modifications can
only be made by the software manufacturer. They are licensed to users at a fee or applied freely.
Examples are; Microsoft Operating Systems, Microsoft Office, Adobe PageMaker and
CorelDraw suit.

Freeware are software products that are freely made available to the user. Some may be malicious
software.
Software Considerations
i). Authenticity
This is genuineness, validity or legitimacy of an item. Software is an intangible product, and its
quite easy to pirate software (make illegal copies of software). When purchasing software, get the
original software that will be supported by the developer’s license and certificate of authenticity.
This is because some people illegally produce pirated copies which are an offense.
ii). Documentation
It include user manuals, trouble shooting and installation guides as well as on-line help. A good
software product must be accompanied with these documentation.
iii). User needs
It must meet users need e.g. if the user needs to type documents most often would go for a word
processor.
iv). User friendliness
This is how easy the users can be able to operate the computer. The ease of use of a program will
(most likely) influence whether the user will prefer it or not.
v). System requirements
Are basically the hardware specifications required to run a particular program and are usually
indicated on the package e.g. you need a minimum of 16MB of RAM to run an Access Dbase, but
32MB is recommended. The system requirements will usually include the amount of Ram, Hard
disk space, monitor type, processor type and peripheral.
vi). Cost
Software tend to be more expensive than the hardware. The cost of acquiring software product
must be carefully considered before acquiring it against the benefits that it is likely to bring. The
cost of software is a major contributing factor in deciding whether to purchase it or not. It is
usually cheaper to purchase general purpose software if it can meet the users need.
vii). Compatibility and system configuration
Software compatibility refers to the ability of a computer to run the software depending on the
system setup (configuration). The new package should read and process files created by the
existing package. When upgrading software the upgrades are backwards compatible e.g. Ms
Access 2000 can convert MS Access 97 files to Access 2000 format and use them. It often does
not work the other way round e.g. Ms Access 2000 file cannot be opened in Access 97.
Therefore, a software product must be compatible with the existing hardware, operating system or
application programs and should be readily upgradable.

viii). Portability
Software portability refers to ability of a program to be copied or installed in more than one
computer. Data is said to be portable if it can be transferred from one application to another in
electronic form. Most software’s in the market are portable.

ix). Reliability
Good software must be reliable and secure
TOPIC 2 INSTALL THE SOFTWARE
Installation refers to the particular configuration of software or hardware with a view to
making it usable with the computer. A soft or digital copy of the piece of software (program)
is needed to install it. There are different processes of installing a piece of software
(program).

Acquisition of Software
The act or process of acquiring software in different ways like purchase, download free from
internet or get it bundled along with hardware is called software acquisition. It is the way in
which the software are made available to users.

Installation Media

This section will help you determine which different media types you can use to install
software. This include-

i. CD-ROM/DVD-ROM/BD-ROM-Installation from optical disc is supported for most

architectures.On PCs SATA, IDE/ATAPI, USB and SCSI optical drives are
supported, as are FireWire devices that are supported by the ohci1394 and sbp2
drivers.
ii. USB Memory Stick-USB flash disks a.k.a. USB memory sticks have become a
commonly used and cheap storage device. Most modern computer systems also allow
booting the debian-installer from such a stick. Many modern computer systems, in
particular netbooks and thin laptops, do not have an optical drive anymore at all and
booting from USB media is the standard way of installing a new operating system on
them.
iii. Network-The network can be used during the installation to retrieve files needed for
the installation. Whether the network is used or not depends on the installation
method you choose and your answers to certain questions that will be asked during
the installation. The installation system supports most types of network connections
(including PPPoE, but not ISDN or PPP), via either HTTP or FTP. After the
installation is completed, you can also configure your system to use ISDN and PPP.
iv. Hard Disk-Booting the installation system directly from a hard disk is another option
for many architectures. This will require some other operating system to load the
installer onto the hard disk. This method is only recommended for special cases when
no other installation method is available.

End user license agreement

End-user license agreements (EULAs) are the documents software vendors use to explain the
terms of their license agreements with consumers (end users).Contrary to popular belief,
when an individual or company buys software, they do not become the legal owner of that
software. Instead, they are purchasing a license to use it.
These programs will always be considered the property of their respective developers.EULAs
are legally binding agreements between the software seller and the end user. The agreement
highlights the software’s terms of use, restrictions, liabilities, and obligations.
After reading and accepting the terms of the EULA, the user is granted access to the software.
Users are often given EULAs during software installation or when accessing a digital product
for the first time.
 EULAs are also often included in the software bundle or made available on the vendor’s
website. These agreements are used in a wide variety of software, from corporate applications
to consumer programs like games and office suites.Both commercial and free/open-source
software developers rely on EULAs.
Standard EULAs often include the following provisions; however, the precise wording of
each agreement will vary depending on the software and the vendor.
i). Grant of license-The EULA must have a section clearly stating that a license has
been granted. It will highlight the terms of the license granted to the end user,
including whether it is a multi-user or single-user license.
ii). Limitations on use-This section specifies what can and can’t be done with the
software. This could include restrictions placed on duplicating, reverse engineering,
and modifying the program.
iii). Intellectual property rights-The software’s ownership and intellectual property
rights, including copyright and trademark, are stated in this section.
iv). Support and maintenance-The vendor’s obligations in terms of software updates
and maintenance are specified in this section.
v). Warranty and liability-The vendor’s warranties and guarantees, as well as any
limitations on liability for damages arising from the usage of the software, are detailed
in this section.
vi). Termination-This section specifies the grounds for terminating the license, such as
nonpayment or breaching the terms of the EULA.
vii). Governing law-The jurisdiction and laws that will govern the EULA and any disputes
that might arise are stated in this clause.
viii). User obligations-The end user’s responsibilities are laid out in this section, including
safeguarding any passwords or sensitive information and adhering to the terms of the
EULA.
ix). Miscellaneous-Other provisions not covered elsewhere in the EULA, such as those
addressing notices, severability, and changes to the EULA, are here.

Software options
Types of software Installation
1. Custom installation-A custom installation allows the installer to choose to select
components or parts that are required to be installed. This is sometimes preferred as
opposed to installing the full suite of software components. Some situations that
require the need for a custom install might be where only the basic components are
required which are smaller in size instead of the full components which may take up
too much hard drive space.
2. Attended installation-On Windows systems, this is the most common form of
installation. An installation process usually needs a user who attend it to make
choices, such as accepting or declining an end-user license agreement (EULA),
specifying preferences such as the installation location, supplying passwords or
assisting in product activation. In graphical environments, installers that offer
a wizard-based interface are common. Attended installers may ask users to help
mitigate the errors. For instance, if the disk in which the computer program is being
installed was full, the installer may ask the user to specify another target path or clear
enough space in the disk. A common misconception is unarchivation, which is not
considered an installation action because it does not include user choices, such as
accepting or declining EULA.
3. Silent installation-A "silent installation" is an installation that does not display
messages or windows during its progress. "Silent installation" is not the same as
"unattended installation, All silent installations are unattended but not all unattended
installations are silent. The reason behind a silent installation may be convenience or
subterfuge. Malware and viruses can be installed silently when a person clicks on a
link while working at a business they think is real but is a hacker's program download.
For normal users silent installation is not of much use, but in bigger organizations
where thousands of users work, deploying the applications becomes a typical task and
for that reason silent installation is performed so that the application is installed in the
background without affecting the work of the user. Silent parameters can vary from
software to software; if a software/application has silent parameters, it can be checked
by " <software.exe> /? " or " <software.exe> /help " or " <software.exe> -help
".Silently installing a software program can be used to deploy a program on networks
in educational institutions, including primary and secondary education and
universities, in addition to business, government, and corporate networks. The person
managing the silent installation can choose to add a desktop shortcut, for example, to
silently install Google Drive with a desktop shortcut]:GoogleDrive.exe --silent --
desktop_shortcut=true
4. Unattended installation-Installation that is performed without user interaction during
its progress or with no user present at all. One of the reasons to use this approach is to
automate the installation of a large number of systems. An unattended installation
either does not require the user to supply anything or has received all necessary input
prior to the start of installation. Such input may be in the form of command
line switches or an answer file, a file that contains all the necessary
parameters. Windows XP and most Linux distributions are examples of operating
systems that can be installed with an answer file. In unattended installation, it is
assumed that there is no user to help mitigate errors. For instance, if the installation
medium was faulty, the installer should fail the installation, as there is no user to fix
the fault or replace the medium. Unattended installers may record errors in a computer
log for later review.
 5. Headless installation-Installation performed without using a computer
monitor connected. In attended forms of headless installation, another machine
connects to the target machine (for instance, via a local area network) and takes over
the display output. Since a headless installation does not need a user at the location of
the target computer, unattended headless installers may be used to install a program
on multiple machines at the same time.
6. Scheduled or automated installation-An installation process that runs on a preset
time or when a predefined condition transpires, as opposed to an installation process
that starts explicitly on a user's command. For instance, a system administrator willing
to install a later version of a computer program that is being used can schedule that
installation to occur when that program is not running. An operating system may
automatically install a device driver for a device that the user connects. (See plug and
play.) Malware may also be installed automatically. For example, the
infamous Conficker was installed when the user plugged an infected device to their
computer.
7. Clean installation-A clean installation is one that is done in the absence of any
interfering elements such as old versions of the computer program being installed or
leftovers from a previous installation. In particular, the clean installation of an
operating system is an installation in which the target disk partition is erased before
installation. Since the interfering elements are absent, a clean installation may succeed
where an unclean installation may fail or may take significantly longer.
8. Network installation-Not to be confused with network booting .Network installation,
shortened netinstall, is an installation of a program from a shared network
resource that may be done by installing a minimal system before proceeding to
download further packages over the network. This may simply be a copy of the
original media but software publishers which offer site licenses for institutional
customers may provide a version intended for installation over a network.

Existing data backup and protection

Data protection is the process of safeguarding important information from corruption,
compromise or loss. The importance of data protection increases as the amount of data
created and stored continues to grow at unprecedented rates. There is also little tolerance for
downtime that can make it impossible to access important information.
Software documentation
Software documentation is written text or illustration that accompanies computer software or
is embedded in the source code. The documentation either explains how the software operates
or how to use it, and may mean different things to people in different roles.
Documentation is an important part of software engineering. Types of documentation
include:

 Requirements – Statements that identify attributes capabilities, characteristics, or

qualities of a system. This is the foundation for what will be or has been implemented.
 Architecture/Design – Overview of software. Includes relations to an environment and
construction principles to be used in design of software components.
 Technical – Documentation of code, algorithms, interfaces, and APIs.
 End user – Manuals for the end-user, system administrators and support staff.
 Marketing – How to market the product and analysis of the market demand.

Types of Documentation
1. Requirements documentation-Requirements documentation is the description of
what a particular software does or shall do. It is used throughout development to
communicate how the software functions or how it is intended to operate. It is also
used as an agreement or as the foundation for agreement on what the software will do.
Requirements are produced and consumed by everyone involved in the production of
software, including: endusers, customers, project,managers, sales, marketing, software
architects, usability engineers, interaction designers, developers,
and testers.Requirements come in a variety of styles, notations and formality.
Requirements can be goal-like (e.g., distributed work environment), close to design
(e.g., builds can be started by right-clicking a configuration file and selecting the
'build' function), and anything in between. They can be specified as statements
in natural language, as drawn figures, as detailed mathematical formulas, or as a
combination of them all.
2. Architecture design documentation-Architecture documentation (also known
as software architecture description) is a special type of design document. In a way,
architecture documents are third derivative from the code (design document being
second derivative, and code documents being first). Very little in the architecture
documents is specific to the code itself. These documents do not describe how to
program a particular routine, or even why that particular routine exists in the form that
it does, but instead merely lays out the general requirements that would motivate the
existence of such a routine. A good architecture document is short on details but thick
on explanation. It may suggest approaches for lower level design, but leave the actual
exploration trade studies to other documents.
3. Technical documentation-It is important for the code documents associated with the
source code (which may include README files and API documentation) to be
thorough, but not so verbose that it becomes overly time-consuming or difficult to
maintain them. Various how-to and overview documentation guides are commonly
found specific to the software application or software product being documented
by API writers. This documentation may be used by developers, testers, and also end-
users. Today, a lot of high-end applications are seen in the fields of power, energy,
transportation, networks, aerospace, safety, security, industry automation, and a
variety of other domains. Technical documentation has become important within such
organizations as the basic and advanced level of information may change over a
period of time with architecture changes.
 4. User documentation-Unlike code documents, user documents simply describe how a
program is used. In the case of a software library, the code documents and user
documents could in some cases be effectively equivalent and worth conjoining, but
for a general application this is not often true. Typically, the user documentation
describes each feature of the program, and assists the user in realizing these features.
It is very important for user documents to not be confusing, and for them to be up to
date. User documents don't need to be organized in any particular way, but it is very
important for them to have a thorough index. Consistency and simplicity are also very
valuable. User documentation is considered to constitute a contract specifying what
the software will do. API Writers are very well accomplished towards writing good
user documents as they would be well aware of the software architecture and
programming techniques used.
5. Marketing documentation-For many applications it is necessary to have some
promotional materials to encourage casual observers to spend more time learning
about the product. This form of documentation has three purposes:
i. To excite the potential user about the product and instill in them a
desire for becoming more involved with it.
ii. To inform them about what exactly the product does, so that their
expectations are in line with what they will be receiving.
iii. To explain the position of this product with respect to other
alternatives.

SOFTWARE CHANGE MANAGEMENT

Types of user needs requirements
 Functional Requirements
 Performance Requirements
 System Technical Requirements
 Specifications
Definition: A requirement is a statement that identifies a product or process operational,
functional, or design characteristic or constraint, which is unambiguous, testable or
measurable, and necessary for product or process acceptability. (ISO/IEC 2007)
 1. Functional Requirements-A functional requirement is a task (sometimes called
action or activity) that must be accomplished to provide an operational capability (or
satisfy an operational requirement). Some functional requirements associated with
operations and support can be discerned from the needed operational capability
(see Operational Requirements). Others often result only from diligent systems
engineering. Experience in systems engineering has identified eight generic functions
that most systems must complete over their life cycle: development, manufacturing,
verification, deployment, training, operations, support, and disposal. These are known
as the eight primary system functions. Each must usually be considered in identifying
a system’s functional requirements.

2. Performance Requirements-A performance requirement is a statement of how much

a function must be executed, generally measured in terms such as quantity, accuracy,
coverage, timeliness, or readiness. The performance requirements for the operational
function and sometimes a few others often correlate well with the statement of the
needed operational capability developed by the Joint Capabilities Integration and
Development System (JCIDS) Process. The statement of other performance
requirements usually requires thorough systems engineering.
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3. System Technical Requirements-System technical requirements are the result of
both allocated and derived requirements. These types or requirements are:
 Allocated Requirements: flow directly from the system requirements down to the
elements of the system.
 Derived Requirements: dependent on the design solution (and so are sometimes called
design requirements). They include internal interface constraints between the
elements of the system.
4. Specifications-A specification is a detailed, exact statement of particulars, especially
a statement prescribing materials, dimensions, and quality of work for something to
be built, installed, or manufactured. The overall purpose of a specification is to
provide a basis for obtaining a product or service that will satisfy a particular need at
an economical cost and to invite the maximum reasonable competition. By definition,
a specification sets limits and thereby eliminates or potentially eliminates items
outside the boundaries drawn. A good specification should do four (4) things:
1. Identify minimum requirements.
2. List reproducible test methods to be used in testing for compliance with
specifications.
3. Allow for a competitive bid.
4. Provide for an equitable award at the lowest possible cost.

SOFTWARE UPGRADING NEEDS

Software updates are necessary to keep computers, mobile devices and tablets running
smoothly -- and they may lower security vulnerabilities
1. Functionality- software functionality means checking if the software works as
expected and does not cause any errors or conflicts with your system or other
software.
2. Skills- Problem-Solving Skills-From debugging software to creatively planning a
program that fits a client's unique needs, problem-solving skills are vital to success in
this field.
3. Control - Version control, also known as source control, is the practice of tracking
and managing changes to software code. Version control systems are software tools
that help software teams manage changes to source code over time.

Here are some reasons to consider software updates as soon as possible.

1. Patch security flaws-Security is the No. 1 reason to update software

immediately. Software vulnerabilities enable cybercriminals to access a
person's computer. Threat actors see these vulnerabilities as open doors,
enabling them to plant malware on people's systems.Malware enables threat
actors to take control of computers and steal information. Malware can also
encrypt files, documents and other programs so they are unusable. Security
patches block these open doors in the software to protect a device from
attacks.People sharing a network with others need to be extra diligent. An
infected device can unknowingly spread malware to others in a network,
including colleagues, friends and family.With each software update, consider
updating passwords for another level of protection. For example, the Colonial
Pipeline hack in 2021 was the result of a stolen VPN password.
2. Get new features-Installing updates may add new features and remove old
ones that are no longer necessary. Technology is constantly changing, and
updates offer the latest features and improvements.For example, recent Zoom
updates include features to create a central library for polls, hide or display
chat notifications, view breakout room activities after main sessions, and
integration with Box and SharePoint for Windows users
3. . Protect data-If a threat actor gets in through a software security flaw, they
will search for personal data such as financial information, passwords,
usernames or other documents with sensitive information.Threat actors access
personal accounts and sell sensitive information on the dark web. Updating
software to improve security vulnerabilities enables data to be better protected.
4. Improve performance-Not all patches are security related. Software vendors
may find bugs in a program or need to make necessary enhancements to a
program. These patches help improve the performance of the software.
Electronic devices also need regular maintenance and routine updates to run
their best. Having the latest patches can help prevent software from crashing.
5. Ensure compatibility-Software manufacturers send updates to ensure their
software is compatible with the latest technology. Without updates, older
software may not be able to work with newer technology.For example,
a recent Microsoft Windows update included additional ways to customize the
computer display and increased capability to work across multiple devices --
 such as syncing to an Android phone. Users of Microsoft products can also
chat with other users even if they're using Mac, iOS or Android.

SOFTWARE FUNCTIONALITY TESTING

Functional Testing is a type of software testing that validates the software system against the
functional requirements/specifications. The purpose of Functional tests is to test each
function of the software application, by providing appropriate input, verifying the output
against the Functional requirements.
Functional testing mainly involves black box testing and it is not concerned about the source
code of the application. This testing checks User Interface, APIs, Database, Security,
Client/Server communication and other functionality of the Application Under Test. The
testing can be done either manually or using automation.

What do you test in Functional Testing?

The prime objective of Functional testing is checking the functionalities of the software
system. It mainly concentrates on –

 Mainline functions: Testing the main functions of an application

 Basic Usability: It involves basic usability testing of the system. It checks whether a
user can freely navigate through the screens without any difficulties.
 Accessibility: Checks the accessibility of the system for the user
 Error Conditions: Usage of testing techniques to check for error conditions. It
checks whether suitable error messages are displayed.
How to do Functional Testing
Following is a step by step process on How to do Functional Testing :

 Understand the Functional Requirements

 Identify test input or test data based on requirements
 Compute the expected outcomes with selected test input values
 Execute test cases
 Compare actual and computed expected results

PEFORM USER TRAINING

The keys to developing an effective end user training plan can be grouped into five main
stages:

1. Defining Direction:

 Goals and Objectives: Clearly define what you want users to achieve with the training. Do
you want them to complete specific tasks, solve common problems, or understand core
concepts? Having clear goals helps tailor training content and delivery methods.
 Target Audience: Assess your users' needs by understanding their existing knowledge, skill
levels, and learning preferences. This ensures training materials are suitable and cater to their
learning styles.

2. Choosing the Path:

 Delivery Methods: Analyze available resources, budget, and user preferences. Popular
options include instructor-led training, online modules, video tutorials, simulations, and job
aids. Consider a blended approach for a more comprehensive experience.
 Technology Integration: Leverage digital tools to enhance learning like e-learning
platforms, gamification elements, and performance support systems.

3. Building the Bridge:

 Content Development: Focus on clear, concise, and user-friendly materials. Use real-world
examples, case studies, and visuals like screenshots, diagrams, and infographics for better
understanding. Break down complex topics into manageable steps.
 Engagement and Interaction: Incorporate interactive elements like quizzes, hands-on
activities, and group discussions to keep users engaged and promote knowledge retention.

4. Crossing the Chasm:

 Training Implementation: Plan the training rollout effectively, considering factors like user
schedules, availability of trainers, and preferred access methods (online, offline, etc.). Pilot
testing with a small group can yield valuable feedback.
 Support and Sustainability: Offer ongoing support and resources after initial training, like
FAQs, help desks, and refresher courses. Encourage feedback mechanisms to adapt and
improve the program continuously.

5. Reaching the Destination:

 Evaluation and Measurement: Track key metrics like user performance, task completion
rates, and feedback to assess the training's effectiveness. Identify areas for improvement and
adapt the program as needed.
 Continuous Improvement: Embrace a growth mindset and adapt the training based on user
feedback, evolving technologies, and changing needs. This ensures the program remains
relevant and effective over time.

Remember, an effective end user training plan is not a one-time event; it's a continuous
journey of defining goals, building content, creating engaging experiences, measuring impact,
and adapting to achieve user success.

Here's a breakdown of various types of training feedback elements:

1. Formative Feedback:

 Pre-training assessments: Gauge existing knowledge and skills to tailor the training
accordingly.
 Formative evaluations: In-progress checks with quizzes, polls, or discussions to identify areas
needing clarification or additional practice.
 Observations: Watching trainees during activities to assess their understanding and skill
mastery.
 Focus groups: Gather qualitative feedback and discussions from a small group of trainees.
 2. Summative Feedback:

 Post-training assessments: Evaluate knowledge and skill acquisition after the program.
 Surveys: Gather overall feedback on the training content, delivery method, and trainer
effectiveness.
 Exit interviews: One-on-one conversations with trainees to understand their experience and
suggestions for improvement.
 Performance metrics: Track on-the-job application of learned skills and measure their impact
on productivity, efficiency, or other KPIs.

3. Additional Elements:

 Feedback from trainers: Trainers' reflections on trainee engagement, challenges faced, and
areas for improvement in the program.
 Subject matter expert (SME) feedback: Insights from experts on the content accuracy and
relevance to the field.
 Customer feedback: If the training relates to customer-facing processes or skills, their
feedback can be valuable.

Effective use of training feedback elements involves:

 Clear goal setting: Define what you want to learn from the feedback and use it to improve the
program.
 Variety of methods: Use a mix of quantitative and qualitative methods to capture different
perspectives and insights.
 Timeliness: Gather feedback throughout the training cycle, not just at the end.
 Actionable feedback: Analyze the feedback and translate it into concrete improvements for
the program.
 Transparency: Share the feedback results with stakeholders and trainees to demonstrate
commitment to improvement.