Implementing Virtual Reality (VR) training in an organization is an exciting venture that holds the potential to streamline training in many ways. However, it also comes with its set of challenges, especially when communicating the value to others.
Over the past seven years, we’ve collaborated with hundreds of companies and consistently encountered several key challenges that create difficulty in getting deals across the finish line.
These challenges are not just faced by the companies themselves but, more importantly, by the champions within these organizations who recognize the value of VR training and are actively pushing for its use. VR enthusiasts often encounter resistance, logistical hurdles, and various concerns that need to be addressed to make VR training a successful reality.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the top ten concerns related to implementing VR training and provide practical strategies to overcome them, ensuring a smoother transition and more effective training outcomes.
New generations entering the workforce, combined with new technologies creates the concern that solutions might not fit everyone’s needs. Older employees may initially resist VR technology due to unfamiliarity. Studies suggest that while older adults may be slower to adopt new technologies, they can adapt effectively with adequate training and support.
Providing thorough training sessions and user-friendly guides can help Gen X employees get comfortable with VR. Additionally, ergonomic VR headsets designed for prolonged use can enhance comfort and accessibility.
Blending VR seamlessly into existing Learning Management Systems (LMS) and training programs is crucial for smooth implementation. A phased approach can facilitate this transition, allowing organizations to gradually incorporate VR training without disrupting current operations. Successful technology integration often requires close collaboration with IT departments to ensure compatibility and operational efficiency.
By adopting a phased approach and collaborating closely with IT departments, organizations can smoothly integrate VR training into their existing LMS infrastructure, ensuring minimal disruption and maximizing the benefits of VR training.
Understanding the total cost is vital for managing budgets and validating the effectiveness of VR training. Although requiring some initial investment, but the long-term savings and benefits often justify the investment. Pilot programs can demonstrate VR's impact, helping secure additional funding and buy-in from stakeholders. Leveraging reusable assets and open-source tools can also reduce costs.
VR training can be made more accessible and affordable by using 360 video technology. Creating 360 videos requires only a 360-degree camera and a platform like Warp VR, which simplifies the production process. This approach reduces the need for expensive 3D modeling and animation tools. Studies have shown that VR training can reduce training costs by up to 52% at scale compared to traditional methods (PwC, 2022). Starting with smaller, manageable projects and scaling up allows organizations to control costs while building a solid case for VR training.
Showing a demo scenario when pitching VR to stakeholders makes a big difference. It can be difficult to conceptualize how VR might apply to a particular use case without seeing something firsthand. Utilizing case studies and success stories from similar organizations can be effective. Interactive demonstrations during stakeholder meetings can help gain their support by showcasing the unique benefits of VR training.
If possible, we’ve seen some enthusiasts create their own demo scenarios. For instance, a demo that simulates emergency response scenarios for healthcare workers can illustrate VR's effectiveness in preparing staff for real-world situations. Hands-on experiences significantly increase stakeholder buy-in for new training technologies. However, we realize that time is often a limiting factor here.
Mapping out the scenario creation process, including storyboarding, scripting, and development, is essential for successful VR training. Collaboration with subject matter experts ensures content accuracy and relevance. Using agile development methods can facilitate quick iterations and improvements, making the scenario creation process more efficient.
A collaborative and iterative content creation process helps ensure that training scenarios are not only accurate but also engaging and effective. By involving stakeholders throughout the development process, organizations can create training content that meets their specific needs and goals.
Understanding the strengths of 3D animation and 360 video and choosing based on training objectives—and then being able to communicate why one is more fitting than the other—makes a big difference as well. 3D animation offers greater interactivity and control, making it ideal for complex simulations that require interactivity with objects. However, 360 video provides immersive real-world scenarios that are much more fitting for human interactions in high-stakes and business-critical situations.
Highlighting where and why VR excels compared to traditional methods is essential for justifying its implementation. Presenting research and case studies that demonstrate VR's higher engagement and retention rates can be persuasive. For example, studies have found that employees trained with VR learned faster and were more confident in applying skills learned after training.
Supporting the use of VR for training, experts note its ability to create immersive, realistic experiences that enhance learning and retention. By showcasing specific scenarios where VR has proven more effective, organizations can build a compelling case for its adoption.
Unsurprisingly, drawing the link between VR training and your specific use case can be difficult. We even have several resources that can help you with inspiration including our customer stories page and inspiration cards in our knowledge hub.
Learning from how other organizations in the industry use VR can provide valuable insights. Networking through conferences, webinars, and professional groups can help in establishing and sharing best practices. Peer learning and benchmarking against industry leaders can significantly enhance the adoption of new technologies.
Case studies and success stories from similar organizations can provide practical examples of VR training's benefits. For instance, a case study about how Shell Brunei’s VR training usage can highlight how companies like themselves have improved safety and efficiency through immersive training.
It’s common for stakeholders to have concerns about data storage, GDPR compliance, and security in most industries. Ensuring that VR solutions comply with relevant data privacy regulations and implementing robust security measures for data storage and transfer. Regular audits and updates can maintain high security standards.
Organizations must prioritize data protection to gain the trust of their IT departments and stakeholders, ensuring that sensitive information is securely handled.
At the end of the day, data still reigns supreme. Stakeholders might not want to go through the process of experiencing a VR scenario, or they might just be strapped for time. Developing clear metrics to assess VR training effectiveness and linking training data to performance metrics can showcase tangible benefits.
Companies effectively utilizing training data to inform business decisions see substantial improvements in performance and ROI. By leveraging analytics to continuously improve the training program, organizations can ensure that VR training delivers measurable results and supports broader business objectives.
These insights help us address the innovation and change dilemmas we all face. By understanding and addressing these common concerns, organizations can effectively implement VR training and harness its full potential for their training programs. If any of these concerns resonate with you or if you have additional questions, please comment below! Let's discuss strategies to overcome them together and make VR training a successful part of your organization's development programs.
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