GDS: Specialist Resource Augmentation

Government Digital Service turns to Certes for specialist contractor support

Government Digital Services required a specialist Learning Designer Facilitator to help address the professional development and career progression of civil servants interested in joining the Ministry of Defence (MOD) as Junior DevOps professionals.

The Central Digital and Data Office (CDDO) division of the Cabinet Office, in collaboration with the MOD, aimed to establish a pilot virtual bootcamp to facilitate this transition.

Our contractor’s key responsibility involved overseeing the comprehensive life cycle of the virtual bootcamp, from its initial conception to its final deployment on the Ministry of Defence’s Learning Management System (LMS). This encompassed conducting meticulous analysis, designing a well-thought-out curriculum, developing engaging content, and flawlessly implementing the program on the designated platform.

Work Undertaken:

  1. Conducting Learning Needs Analysis to understand the specific learning needs of civil servants.
  2. Performing Gap Analysis to identify areas needing improvement and the level of instruction required for DevOps roles within the MOD.
  3. Collaborating with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to ensure the accuracy and relevance of the bootcamp content, grounding the program in the realities of DevOps work within the MOD.
  4. Writing a detailed 12-week bootcamp program outlining objectives, modules, assessments, and the overall learning journey for participants.
  5. Developing an eLearning program based on MOD-approved standards and industry best practices, creating interactive, engaging, and effective digital learning content tailored to the needs of bootcamp participants.

Work Completion:

The work on the virtual bootcamp was completed through a carefully planned and executed process that utilised a blend of the ADDIE, 6Ds, and DSAT models.

Analysis (ADDIE & DSAT): The process began with an in-depth Learning Needs Analysis and Gap Analysis, aligned with the ADDIE Analysis phase and DSAT Document stage, to identify civil servants’ current competencies and the skills needed for DevOps roles within the MOD.

Design (ADDIE & DSAT): The team designed the 12-week bootcamp programme in line with the ADDIE Design phase and the findings from the analysis stage, while collaborating with Subject Matter Experts during the DSAT Specify stage to incorporate their expertise into the programme design.

Development (ADDIE): In the Development phase, they created the eLearning content for the bootcamp. This involved using the insights from the Design phase to develop an effective and engaging training curriculum, incorporating interactive elements, multimedia components, and real-world scenarios.

Implementation (ADDIE, DSAT & 6Ds): Launched the virtual bootcamp, gave participants access to materials, and worked with the MOD and Cabinet Office to align delivery with DSAT’s Develop Solutions stage and the 6Ds Define Outcomes stage.

Evaluation (ADDIE, DSAT & 6Ds): Evaluated the bootcamp’s effectiveness by collecting feedback, assessing learner progress, and documenting how learning was applied on the job, aligned with DSAT’s Track and Test stages and the 6Ds success measures.

Sustain Performance (6Ds): Developed strategies to reinforce learning, provide ongoing support, and ensure bootcamp skills were applied in participants’ roles.

The virtual bootcamp was developed and implemented effectively, providing a comprehensive and practical learning experience for civil servants transitioning into Junior DevOps roles within the MOD.

Results

The virtual bootcamp was strategically planned, designed, and delivered to equip participants with the skills and knowledge needed for their new roles, achieving strong results across four key areas:

End-to-End Learning Journey Map: A clear and structured learning journey guided participants through the programme, outlining weekly objectives, topics, and skill development milestones. This roadmap enabled learners to understand expectations and track their progress throughout the bootcamp.

Engaging Introductory Modules: Scenario-based learning formed the foundation of the introductory modules, making content practical, relatable, and engaging. Weekly scenarios reflected real MOD challenges, helping participants apply knowledge and improve retention.

Comprehensive Online Resources: A broad range of resources, organised from beginner to expert level, supported learners with varying levels of experience. This flexible approach ensured all participants could access content suited to their needs and maximise their learning outcomes.

Articulated and Accessible Design: The learning experience featured intuitive navigation, clear labelling, and user-friendly interfaces. Accessibility standards were embedded throughout, ensuring an inclusive experience for learners with diverse abilities and preferences.

Client Benefits

Thorough Analysis: Conducted both a Learning Needs Analysis and a Gap Analysis to identify areas that needed improvement. This helped to ensure the training was as relevant and effective as possible.

Expert Collaboration: Liaised with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), bringing in industry and technical insights that greatly enhanced the quality and relevance of the training content.

Detailed Program Writing: Used technical writing skills to produce a clear, comprehensive 12-week bootcamp programme. This provided a structured and detailed learning journey.

Tailored eLearning Design: Designed eLearning content specifically tailored to the needs and learning objectives of the civil servants participating in the bootcamp.

Industry-Standard Development: Developed the eLearning content according to MOD-approved standards and industry best practices, ensuring its quality and effectiveness.

Versatile Learning: The bootcamp offered a blend of learning methods, catering to various learning styles and increasing overall engagement and knowledge retention.

Real-world Application: By liaising with SMEs and designing the programme based on MOD standards, they ensured the content was grounded in the realities of DevOps work within the MOD, enhancing its practical value.

Career Progression: By targeting specific roles within the MOD, the bootcamp provided a clear career progression path for the civil servants, making it a highly strategic and focused initiative.

Accessibility: Conducted the bootcamp virtually, ensuring that it was accessible to civil servants irrespective of their geographical location.