How Can I Identify Training Needs for My Software Engineers Effectively?

Good morning, as part of training and development in my company, please advise on the best approach to assess my current Software Engineers to determine areas where they would require training. Thank you.

Best approach is TNI (Training Need Identification).

In the performance appraisal form, the Manager or the Team Lead might have indicated the TNIs of the Software Engineers working under their control. Collect this data and evaluate and organize a training program that best suits the requirement.

Your company has employed software engineers. However, what do these engineers do? Do they develop software, or are they in a supporting role? How many engineers does your company have, and on what technology do they work?

If they are working on projects, their training requirements will be different from those in a supporting role. Therefore, first, clarify their roles.

Lastly, how do you measure the performance of the software engineers? Training also depends on their performance.

Thanks,
Dinesh Divekar

Training Approaches

1. Training has to be either individually based or team-based.

Team-Based Training

2. The skill deficit is to be discerned by the team lead, provided there is a system of regular feedback both ways.

3. The new area/domain, if not already handled by any of them, then all the members need to be upgraded by a short-term course, supported by periodic refresher workshops of 1 or 2 days, suiting the management without hampering their regular work output.

Performance Appraisal and Skill Development

4. Does performance appraisal factor into the development of desirable skills for career growth? That would give an indication of what exactly needs to be trained upon.

5. The whole process has to be planned in advance and not as a reaction to a felt need by the team.

Individual Training

6. As far as individual training is concerned, the individual's inclination for absorbing the new skill/knowledge needs to be ascertained first. The benefits must be made known to all.

7. Training is a continuous process; it should not be in bouts and spurts!

Please let me know if you require any further assistance.