May 10, 2011
A very interesting study was recently done that is related to the decrease in training budgets that have been occurring over the past several years. The study attempts to correlate the understanding and skill level that one has, or is capable of, to the amount of stress in their lives.
This study was a very detailed and extensive one performed with users of InRoads, InRoads Survey, MicroStation, AutoCAD, Civil3D and GEOPAK in mind. It was performed by a nonbiased independent research firm that has no affiliation with software training or technical support services in these areas.
In the context of using software as a tool to perform a job, the study concluded that increasing pressure applied to the software user is more effective than training or education, and will eventually, in time, result in the user become a ‘super-user’ or ‘power-user’. The study justifies the reduction in training budgets and infers that lack of training unleashes a dormant capability in the individual to learn.
…I guess if it doesn’t kill him first. (Or he doesn’t kill someone else.)
Here are a few excerpts from the study:
Lead Researcher: Dr. Nezmar Dok, Phy.D., Masters Degree in Business Psychology, Masters of Philosophy Degree in Theoretical Human Behavior, Masters Degree in Animal Psychology
Investigatory Influence: It has been found that many companies and governmental agencies have reduced, frozen, or eliminated technical training budgets due to recent economic contraction. A question of actual impact on production has risen because of this.
Subject Matter Analysis: This study was done in order to determine if training was really necessary in order to increase one’s understanding of the tools of their trade.
Primary Clinical Hypothesis: The underlying premise of the study is that individuals under extreme mental pressure and induced time-sensitive panic will become more intelligent. This is based on an evolutionary argument where cranial growth was found during the study of man’s early ancestors in times of extreme mental duress and stress. Specifically, H. habilis is assumed to be the direct descendant of Australopithecus garhi which lived about 2.5 million years ago. The most salient physiological development between the two species is the increase in cranial capacity, from about 450 cc (27 cu in) in A. garhi to 600 cc (37 cu in) in H. habilis. Within the Homo genus, cranial capacity again doubled from H. habilis to H. heidelbergensis by 0.6 million years ago. The cranial capacity of H. heidelbergensis overlaps with the range found in modern humans. It is further extrapolated that this cranial growth was due to increased pressure to survive. This ‘pressure to survive’ is further extrapolated to embrace the lack of training currently being experienced in today’s workplace.
Systematic Development of Conclusionary Logic: It has been observed that an individual, when faced with software that is foreign to them, will eventually in time develop a primal reaction to the lack of knowledge. This primeval response is often manifested as an extreme emotion such as anger, frustration and sometimes as a deep apathy or hopelessness. These emotions while sometimes noticeable can also be commonly masked by a deeply seated denial of the gravity of their situation. This denial is sometimes activated and reinforced by the lack of interest in success or quality by the user’s manager or supervisor. However, regardless of the influence or lack of influence by those in an upper echelon, the user experiences a pressure to complete his task. This internal ‘pressure’ coupled with a ‘panic sensation to perform’ appears to stimulate synaptic connections found in the brain. Without getting too technical, the increased brain activity affects the synaptic vesicle on the Axon terminal by increasing the ‘mental charge’. This excites the voltagegated Ca++ channel drawing additional neurotransmitters within each of the synaptic vesicles. The Reuptake pump on the Axon terminal then throws charge across the synaptic cleft to the Receptor. As this charge increases and grows the postsynaptic density (PSD) of the obverse dendrite is increased. This exchange generates an active zone (AZ) within the Dendrite – Axon pair. If the ‘charge’, caused by the user’s unstable emotional state persists, the increase in the PSD is stabilized. The resulting proteins in the strengthened PSD can now anchor, modulate and traffic additional neurotransmitter reception as an enhanced asymmetric dendritic spine. It should be noted that in some cases the PSD becomes unstable and the Dendrite – Axon pair can become permanently damaged, but many of these can heal over the lifetime of an individual.
Testing Scenarios: It was determined that the theoretical foundations of this study were so compelling that no actual tests needed to be performed to support its conclusions.
Results and Conclusions: It has been definitively concluded by the logic presented here that an individual, with increased PSD, has an amplified capability to perform his job more effectively and efficiently and with greater overall quality. And further conclude that the lack of training will have no impact on production, and in fact is setting the stage for the next cranial development of Homo Genus toward Homo Novus.
Aaaaaaa ... Okay. There you have it.
Although I happen to know some engineering managers that subscribe to this theory (and good luck to them), I personally believe that the study and results that Dr. Dok performed and presented are more than slightly flawed and completely inapplicable to the current realities of the workplace; but to each his own I guess.
I’m sticking with my recommendation to have your staff trained by a qualified instructor.
Until next time,
- Mark
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