Siemens: Virtual Training for Project Estimators

Challenge

Delivering complex estimating training in a virtual environment

Siemens faced a critical challenge: equipping new project estimators with complex technical knowledge to accurately interpret plans and specifications while generating cost-effective estimates. They needed to convert their week-long, in-person course to a remotely deliverable format without losing effectiveness.

The real challenge wasn’t just moving content online—it was ensuring complex technical content was comprehensively covered while providing ample hands-on practice and instructor interaction. Balancing these essential elements in a remote learning environment required strategic innovation.

ThinkingKap created a high-quality, blended training solution that not only met our immediate needs during the pandemic, but also enhanced our overall training efficiency. We look forward to continued collaboration with ThinkingKap for our future training projects.

Learn more about our Course Conversion services and how Blended Learning can transform your training into a full-on learning experience.

Solution

Breathing new life into virtual training

From in-person to immersive: a strategic transformation

Translating a hands-on, week-long course into an effective virtual format required a complete redesign of the learning journey. The key was to separate foundational knowledge from hands-on application. We worked with the Siemens team to structure a blended solution that front-loaded technical content into self-paced modules.

This approach preserved valuable virtual instructor-led time for what truly matters: interactive workshops, collaborative case studies, and direct feedback from instructors. The resulting multi-day workshop allowed learners from any location to gain practical skills more efficiently than ever before.

Approach

A flexible, scalable blended learning solution

Here’s how our collaborative design process transformed in-person training into engaging virtual experiences:

Foundation-Building Web Modules:

We created engaging web-based modules that introduced key technical information estimators need for accurate estimates. Participants built foundational knowledge at their own pace before joining virtual workshops, ensuring everyone arrived prepared for hands-on practice.

Screenshot of a WBT course used a a prereq. for the vILT

Key Technical Information:

Web-based modules were designed to equip estimators with the technical knowledge they need to produce highly accurate and reliable estimates. These interactive modules delve into crucial information, ensuring full understanding of all the nuances involved in determining project costs and resource requirements.

Screen giving learners the instructions for an exercise

Interactive Virtual Workshops:

Virtual instructor-led sessions reinforced technical content while introducing tools and processes estimators use daily. These workshops provided hands-on practice with instructor feedback, maintaining the collaborative energy of in-person training.

Screen prompting learners to read and interpret project specs

Collaborative Case Study Application:

Using breakout room functionality, learners worked in pairs to complete a comprehensive 3-part case study that synthesized knowledge from both web-based and workshop modules. This real-world application ensured skills transferred directly to job performance.

Screen showing a debrief of a case study

Continuous Instructor Support:

Instructors checked in with each group during assignments and remained available for questions. After each case study section, the class reconvened to debrief and share experiences, maintaining the collaborative learning environment.

Impact

Enhanced accessibility, engagement and cost efficiency – training that scales

Key learner outcomes

Eliminated travel costs while maintaining training quality and effectiveness
Improved accessibility allowing participation from any location
Enhanced instructor focus on knowledge application rather than content delivery
Scalable solution enabling smaller group training without minimum headcount requirements

The results speak for themselves: strategic blended learning transforms training delivery

The flexible, scalable solution reduced travel costs while allowing instructors to focus on knowledge application, significantly improving the efficiency and impact of Siemens’ project estimator training. Our collaborative approach enabled learners from diverse geographical regions to participate without travel requirements.

With technical content delivered through engaging web-based modules, instructors could concentrate on helping learners apply knowledge to job-specific tasks. The result was significantly enhanced training efficiency and impact, providing a highly effective, flexible approach that exceeded Siemens’ project estimator training needs.

The Strategic Difference: This project was more than just moving a class online. We worked with Siemens to completely re-architect the learning journey for a virtual environment. By separating foundational knowledge from hands-on workshops, we created a blended experience that was more flexible, accessible, and ultimately more efficient for everyone.

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