Over the years, one thing’s become painfully clear on every ERP project I’ve worked on: most stakeholders don’t really understand what we do as a training team. And honestly, I don’t blame them.

They’re deep in integrations, testing, data, and go-live pressure. Meanwhile, we’re chasing SMEs for crumbs of information, trying to piece together real training from half-finished processes. And yet—we make it happen.

We build simulations, QRGs, full-blown eLearning, assessments, workbooks, facilitator guides… all the moving parts it takes to drive real adoption.

But when stakeholders see a simulation for the first time—or get a Quick Reference Guide instead of what they imagined—they’re often confused:

• 🗨️ “Wait, what is this? I thought it was going to be a video?”

Here’s the real issue:

Simulations, QRGs, eLearning modules, and assessments may sound similar—or even look alike at a glance—but they serve very different purposes. A QRG isn’t a walk-through, and a simulation isn’t a quiz. But when the project is moving at full throttle, we rarely get the airtime to explain these distinctions properly.

So here’s the big question:

👉 Is it our job to educate stakeholders on what training really is?

Short answer: Yes. But not endlessly.

We need to set clear expectations early—visually, simply, and consistently. They don’t need a masterclass in instructional design. But they do need to know what they’re reviewing, why it matters, and how it fits the bigger change puzzle.

Because when they don’t get it, guess what? We get stuck fixing “misunderstandings,” redoing deliverables, and fighting for credibility.

Let’s stop assuming they know what a simulation looks like.
Let’s show them.

And maybe—just maybe—next time we say “You’ll get a QRG by Thursday,” they’ll know exactly what to expect… and why it matters.

#ERPTraining #InstructionalDesign #DigitalAdoption #UserEnablement #ChangeManagement #TrainingStrategy #ERPProjects