scope:

Description of Driving Event:

In the 1995-1996 timeframe the Office of Safety and Mission Assurance (OSMA) began development of a distance learning capability under the umbrella of the Professional Development Initiative (PDI). This distance learning capability eventually evolved from a Safety and Mission Assurance discipline system into the Site for Online Learning and Resources (SOLAR) (http://solar. msfc.nasa.gov), currently one of NASA's primary distance learning resources. The intent of the initial development effort was to design and implement a prototype system for the Safety and Mission Assurance discipline. Since web-based distance learning was an untried technology within NASA, the development team determined that an extensive marketing campaign was needed to inform the potential users and their supervisors of the availability of the web-based training capability. The marketing plan included an extensive roll-out campaign that visited each of the NASA Centers, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, White Sands Test Facility and NASA Headquarters after the 1997 release of the prototype system for use. As part of the roll out campaign an informational package was developed that included:

1. An information folder that related the web-based distance learning capability to the NASA Strategic Plan and explained the benefits of the system

2. Handout information sheets that included:

• A message from the Associate Administrator for Safety and Mission Assurance

• Points of Contact at each of the NASA Centers

• A list of all of the Safety and Mission Assurance training sources including the web-based distance learning training site

• A list of all of the available web-based courses

• A series of instructions for first time users on how to access and use the system

3. A business card with the training site logo and web address

4. A sticker with the training site logo and web address

The detailed roll out for each facility was coordinated with each Center's PDI Point of Contact. The basic roll out was intended to include a formal overview session with senior Center and Safety and Mission Assurance management. In addition each sessions with the employees were conducted using formal briefings, hands-on training sessions or both depending on what the Center PDI Point of Contact and management desired. A copy of the information package was provided to each participant of any of the roll out sessions. As a part of the tailoring performed at each Center, the PDI Points of Contact also determined the target audience for the roll-outs (safety and mission assurance only or all disciplines) and prepared and distributed announcements, notices and related articles in local publications as appropriate.

In addition to the Center focused roll outs we also provided separate focused presentations to groups such as the Procurement Conference, Program/Project Management Initiative and the Headquarters Code Training Points of Contact.