Course, Video, and Manual Dexterity: Tailoring Training to CAD Users

Often users´ first contact with new CAD systems is the training and documentation. This paper discusses how we make use of user surveys and teams of professionals in different disciplines to design, develop, and tailor training and documentation to the goals of our users. Some of our findings and guidelines for good training and documentation are presented. Often users´ first contact with new CAD systems is the training and documentation. Therefore, tailoring training programs to users´ goals may be crucial for acceptance and productive use of new tools. As with circuits, it is important to test and verify measurable outcomes--both users´ ratings and effectiveness of learning. We have developed a SICAD curriculum for training people on the use of our VLSI CAD tools based on surveys of users. The survey results offer guidance on such aspects of training design as: structuring courses along design vs. tool lines; courses at various levels of expertise; the role of hands-on exercises; and the use of appropriate analogies.