Training provides hands-on experience with new HRMS computer system

February 3, 2005

Sitting before the glowing screen of a PC at the Department of Personnel’s Olympia training facility, Patty Stewart swivels to and from her keyboard responding to questions and demonstrating her point on the PC.

“HRMS is very user-friendly, it is menu driven, has drop down entry options for most fields and an online quick reference feature that helps users understand entry requirements. People won’t need to learn so many codes,” says Stewart.

First chance to see new system

Stewart is addressing an eager audience of personnel and payroll staff at one of the Human Resource Management System (HRMS) end-user training sessions that began January 10. For most, this was their first chance to see and use the new system. They are curious about how it will look and how it will change the way they do their work.

Stewart says that upon arriving at class, most trainees are excited to finally see the new system, but cautious, even a little skeptical, that it will be an improvement. When they leave, however, most say they are comfortable with the system and will be proficient with some practice.

Stewart, a Department of Social and Health Services employee, and her training partner, Wayne Donaldson, who works for the Department of Transportation, are two of many volunteer trainers on loan to the HRMS Project by their state agency employers.

Training moves forward

Even though the planned implementation date for HRMS has been delayed, DOP is proceeding with end-user training while the new implementation plan is being developed. Moving forward on the training gives end-users a chance to see and use the new system, provides training staff valuable insight on the effectiveness of their courses, and enables the participants to relate what they learn to streamlining their agency’s business processes.

A look at trainee comments from the 28 sessions provided in the first two weeks of hands-on training confirms that moving forward with training was a sound decision. “Found this to be a win/win training for both trainers and participants,” noted one participant. Another wrote, “I think this gives me a good start. The session also brought up things that will need to be addressed in our agency processes.”

A training database, to be available in February, will provide participants a place to practice the exercises that they receive in class. In addition, depending on the new timeline, refresher courses will be available if necessary. HRMS project leaders will announce the new implementation plan in February, at which point DOP will either continue with the training schedule as planned or revise it to align with the new timeline.