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Process for Developing Asynchronous Online Training for Transportation Agency Professionals: Case Study

Efficient training is an essential component of work force development for transportation agencies. The South Carolina Department of Transportation (DOT) recognized one such training need in its management of contracts for professional services consultants. This recognition led to a research effort to identify standardized procedures in the procurement and administration of these contracts, resulting in the development of a training manual and daylong pilot training session. Although the session received positive feedback, it limited the time and location for delivery. This traditional, in-class method is no longer the only available option. Asynchronous online training presents agencies with the option of providing training to employees regardless of their spatial or schedule variabilities while minimizing the need for instructor effort and availability. In light of this change, the South Carolina DOT commissioned a subsequent research effort to study best practices for development, delivery, and assessment of online training and to use these findings to create training modules of the previously completed manual and training session. The focus of this paper is to present the process for developing asynchronous online training employed for the 10 modules, which total roughly 5 h. Although this process is based on best practices, they are not discussed at length; rather, references to findings are made where they pertain. The process, unique lessons learned, and advisable practices are discussed. The paper’s presentation of the online development process can be applied to other transportation agencies intending to implement asynchronous online training for professional development.