Capabilities
Booz Allen leverages the comprehensive analysis processes and design strategies to build unparalleled learning products tailored to meet our clients' specific needs and requirements. Our team offers the following training and learning solutions. Each solution will be discussed separately.
- Instructor-Led Training
- Technology-Based Solutions
- Blended Learning Solutions
- Learning Aids and Performance Support Tools
- Knowledge Management Interventions
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FBI IATP (formerly ACES) Booz Allen, through a TMA contract, refined existing FBI materials to create a new curriculum for Intelligence Career Service employees.
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Instructor-Led Training
Booz Allen’s Learning Team is experienced in analyzing, designing, developing, delivering, and evaluating training programs for the classroom. Each ILT product is unique to the client, and Booz Allen instructors are available to present ILT as well as to provide train-the-trainer (T3) support to help the client become self-sufficient in delivery.
For example, when Congress mandated that the FBI educate 1,000 intelligence analysts in less than 1 year to improve the nation’s domestic intelligence cadre, the FBI turned to Booz Allen to help it meet that goal. We were tasked with repurposing existing training materials and reorganizing them into a curriculum suited for the new audience (employees of the Intelligence Career Service [ICS]), while making recommendations for a future move to a technology-based environment and creating a rigorous method for evaluating students on the curriculum. As a result of our support, the FBI was able to implement its new ICS cohort training on schedule and has since implemented the curriculum change process to oversee ongoing changes to the ILT program.
In support of the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), Booz Allen developed instructor-led training for NetOps, a transformational concept and methodology for operating and defending the Global Information Grid (GIG). In addition to developing all materials to support instructor-led delivery (slides, instructor guide, student manual), Booz Allen developed a scenario-based learning event that connects students to a real-world NetOps experience. The course includes frequent activities and collaborative discussions, and comprehension and learning objective mastery is assured with module reviews and confirmed with a final cumulative assessment. In preparation for future web-based delivery of the courses, all course content resides in a SCORM and Section 508–compliant LCMS for reuse and deployment.
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United States Distance Learning Association 21st Century Best Practices Awards Won by our Clients (Oct 2005)
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Technology-Based Solutions
Booz Allen recognizes the evolving organizational environment and the need to design products that are tailored to the learner’s training and education needs. The key to successful technology-based learning solutions is to integrate content, services, and technology to deliver a customized, adaptable, and effective learning experience. We have demonstrated success in the development of web-based training (WBT) (i.e., network-based solutions found on the Internet and/or intranets) and computer-based training (CBT) by incorporating technology-based strategies such as mobile learning, video, gaming, simulations (e.g., demonstrations, case studies, and scenarios), 3-D modeling, and collaborative tools (e.g., discussion boards, participant polling, shared whiteboard) to motivate learners and enhance the learning experience.
For the Army’s Program Management Office of the Warfighter Information Network–Tactical (WIN-T), Booz Allen developed an interactive multimedia instruction (IMI) product for the Phoenix Tactical Super High Frequency (SHF) Satellite Terminal. The SCORM-conformant IMI incorporates highly interactive software, hardware and simulations, 3-D multimedia elements, scenario-based learning, and intrinsic and extrinsic feedback into a robust learning experience for the soldier. The simulation allows the student to manipulate the communications equipment, such as adjusting dials, maintaining and operating satellite communications, and simulating the software that controls the terminal. It also allows the student to navigate with a first person, 360-degree perspective, enabling him or her to examine operational details, troubleshoot, and remove and replace defective equipment.
Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) Conformant Solutions
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Defense Acquisition University (DAU) Booz Allen has worked hand-in-hand with DAU since 1997 to design, develop, and maintain its industry-leading AtlasPro LMS.
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Booz Allen is committed to ensuring that IT services, systems, and components comply with prevailing and applicable government IT software, systems, and security standards. For example, the Booz Allen team created the first fully SCORM 2004–compliant LMS, AtlasPro, for DMDC. The importance of SCORM is that it provides a way for organizations to get the maximum value for their training and learning investments by creating content that can be deployed on any system, stored and retrieved upon learner need, and developed in such a way that it can be updated easily. Booz Allen works with each client to ascertain its technical capabilities and the technology available to the learners to create the most effective, efficient learning solution. We’ve developed SCORM-conformant courseware for many federal clients, such as Defense Manpower Data Center, DISA, the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) Systems Center, the Army Warfighter Information Network, and the Army Global Command Center, to name a few.
For example, Booz Allen customized all DMDC WBT to meet stringent DMDC infrastructure and industry standards, including those governing compatibility with DMDC’s LMS and security architecture, as well as SCORM’s learning object reusability requirements. This helped us provide the geographically dispersed DMDC audience with smooth, error-free training delivery.
Section 508–Compliant Solutions
Booz Allen offers blended learning solutions that incorporate web-, computer-, and/or paper-based learning methodologies to provide learners with the unique educational benefits of each delivery strategy. Booz Allen employs creative design approaches to deliver efficient and cost-effective blended learning solutions that fulfill learning objectives and address broad audience needs, such as technical environment and diverse learning styles.
The National Institute for School Leadership (NISL) assists school districts in preparing their principals to be outstanding instructional leaders in schools that strive to be high-performance and standards-based. Booz Allen partnered with NISL to develop a dynamic Executive Development Program for School Principals. The NISL goal is to foster learning through an engaging training program that enables learners to develop an understanding of concepts through practice and application.
Booz Allen fulfilled the NISL objective and delivered a realistic, blended learning environment that emphasized discovery of knowledge through authentic problem solving, analysis, and synthesis that was collaborative and fostered development of a community of practice. The curriculum comprises SCORM-conformant interactive multimedia instruction that is delivered online or via CD-ROM and serves primarily as prework for the in-classroom instruction. It includes paper-based case studies, video case studies, two assessment simulations, professional readings, assessment tools, collaborative learning, and action planning.
Blended Learning Solutions
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National Institute for School Leadership (NISL) "Why did you choose NISL?" We were looking for something that was going to provide leadership in a different way. The thing that impressed us about NISL was that it was based on research and best practices from business and military and looked at those aspects of leadership that are common. I was impressed with what NISL has researched, put into place, and was ready to deliver. —David Rustle, |
Booz Allen offers blended learning solutions that incorporate web-, computer-, and/or paper-based learning methodologies to provide learners with the unique educational benefits of each delivery strategy. Booz Allen employs creative design approaches to deliver efficient and cost-effective blended learning solutions that fulfill learning objectives and address broad audience needs, such as technical environment and diverse learning styles.
The National Institute for School Leadership (NISL) assists school districts in preparing their principals to be outstanding instructional leaders in schools that strive to be high-performance and standards-based. Booz Allen partnered with NISL to develop a dynamic Executive Development Program for School Principals. The NISL goal is to foster learning through an engaging training program that enables learners to develop an understanding of concepts through practice and application.
Booz Allen fulfilled the NISL objective and delivered a realistic, blended learning environment that emphasized discovery of knowledge through authentic problem solving, analysis, and synthesis that was collaborative and fostered development of a community of practice. The curriculum comprises SCORM-conformant interactive multimedia instruction that is delivered online or via CD-ROM and serves primarily as prework for the in-classroom instruction. It includes paper-based case studies, video case studies, two assessment simulations, professional readings, assessment tools, collaborative learning, and action planning.
Learning Aids and Performance Support Tools
Booz Allen encourages the use of at-the-desk performance support tools, including paper-based learning aids and Electronic Performance Support Systems (EPSS), to augment the learning experience. These tools help the employee in performing tasks after training, can often be an effective stand-in for training until the employee can be scheduled for formal training, or can assist the learner after training has been completed by providing information on demand at the point of performance.
Booz Allen developed enterprise-wide learning aids and performance support tools for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) as part of a large-scale system integration effort to deploy WMATA’s Information Technology Renewal Program (ITRP). The purpose of the ITRP is to implement commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software packages to replace current tracking systems. Booz Allen provided performance support for the COTS products specific to each application. Because each application and user group is different, Booz Allen developed customized performance support solutions:
- Web-based job aids were developed to support end users by providing a quick and easily accessible reference tool to supplement the eLearning curriculum.
- WBT guides were developed to support instructors by providing a detailed training tool to supplement the eLearning curriculum.
- Context-sensitive help was provided. This was based on OnDemand training that was posted directly on the respective PeopleSoft pages under the help menu. This allowed system users to directly look up training directly related to what they are immediately working on.
- CD-ROMs with support materials were created to assist both the instructors and end users by providing easily accessible devices holding all training materials.
When applicable, we also run performance support operations. For the DMDC and the National Guard Bureau we operate enterprise training help desks to support users with training content, web-based courseware, and learning management system operations.
Learning Aids and Performance Support Tools
Good knowledge management (KM) systems accelerate learners’ access to the right information at the right time, giving them the knowledge they need when they need to apply it. By integrating KM with learning systems, Booz Allen’s clients decrease the amount of time that learners spend in training to internalize their knowledge. The training thus becomes focused on how to find the knowledge available in the system and how to use it.
KM strategy and its enabling tools must be driven by the organization’s mission and business needs and integrated into performance management and improvement strategies. Booz Allen’s approach considers all dimensions of KM in three phases (Figure 10):
- Phase 1 is a KM diagnosis to determine current capabilities and gaps.
- In Phase 2, we implement all KM strategies and initiatives in selected areas/functions of the organization—a pilot program.
- We then update the approach with pilot lessons learned, and in Phase 3 we implement across the enterprise.
The IRS’s Criminal Investigation (CI) Division needed a system to help its investigators capture and formalize new and existing knowledge, best practices, investigative techniques, and lessons learned into a structured solution that can be shared throughout CI that will facilitate investigation of legal-source tax crimes, illegal-source financial crimes, narcotics-related financial crimes, terrorism, and money laundering crimes. The IRS tasked Booz Allen with designing and creating this system. We created a KM program to help IRS CI leverage its knowledge and locate expertise within the organization through the following methods:
- Retaining and sharing institutional knowledge
- Fostering and promoting ongoing learning
- Organizing, processing, and leveraging existing knowledge across the enterprise.
We used a refined version of the ADDIE model to assess the organizational need, design and pilot the program, and implement the full system. Booz Allen created a method by which investigators can add new knowledge to the system, thus helping it grow and stay current. CI now has established and proved mechanisms to collaborate across geographic boundaries, identify SMEs, and capture knowledge of retiring agents. A reassessment of CI after implementing KM shows that more than 85 percent of staff members highly value the KM capabilities.
This page was last updated 5 February 2009.
