The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) designs, builds, and operates its own high-sensitivity radio telescopes for use by scientists around the world. It is funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and has facilities scattered around the United States and the world, from Charlottesville, Virginia, to Santiago, Chile.
Like any federally-funded agency, NRAO must diligently control and account for all expenditures. Previously, all of its business and human resource management had occurred on paper. When NRAO replaced its conventional paper-based requisition system with an automated PeopleSoft® EnterpriseOne system, it needed to obtain buy-in from its diverse workforce of scientists, accountants, purchasing agents, and project managers in far-flung locations. It also needed to quickly bring them up to speed using the new system.
It was clear that trainees needed a hands-on, working knowledge of the PeopleSoft system prior to using the actual software.
NRAO Web-Based Business Systems Procure-to-Pay Process
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To meet its training needs, NRAO arranged for LPS to work with Partners Consulting Services to create an online course in which interaction simulations were the main mode of instruction. Users "learned through doing."
To provide "real-world context," LPS developed user scenarios that illustrated key content areas. Animated demonstrations mirrored the NRAO Peoplesoft EnterpriseOne system and guided users through the steps for using the data screens. Users got hands-on practice via a Let Me Try window that launched simulations in which full PeopleSoft software screens appeared, allowing users to enter data into screens or select items from pull-down menus or radio buttons.
NRAO was delighted with the online course, which received favorable reviews from users. Partners Consulting Service also expressed appreciation for a job well done:
"You folks did a great job pulling this together as quickly as you did. 190 NRAO employees have successfully completed the training so far, and say they feel much more comfortable and confident using Peoplesoft Enterprise One."
