Your training session is interrupted by unexpected software updates. How can you keep your delivery on track?

In this situation you can handle the situation by involving the training participants in any practical activity until software get updated. A good trainer can always alter the training plan as per actual scenarios. That time can also be utilized for responding to queries of participants.

When unexpected software updates crash your training session like a surprise party no one RSVP'd for, stay cool and improvise like a pro magician pulling rabbits out of a hat. Engage the audience with interactive activities or an impromptu Q&A session—because who doesn't love a pop quiz when the tech gremlins strike? Keep the mood light with a sprinkle of tech humor and reassure everyone that even software needs a coffee break sometimes. With a dash of patience and a pinch of wit, you'll navigate this update hiccup like a training maestro, turning tech glitches into teachable moments!

Technical glitches are bound to occur. I try to foresee such events and have backup plans. If a glitch happens, I turn it into an opportunity for more interaction, making participants speak up or distributing handouts while the system restarts. This can include revisiting discussed topics or collecting quick feedback to fine-tune the session.

Software updates during a training session? Perfect timing - turn it into a game: who can guess the update duration? Winner gets bragging rights and the rest buys lunch them lunch. Problem solved.

I’ve always thought if you know the content well and you’re a good presenter, you don’t need slides or technology to necessarily be effective. Use the time to set a topic and have people breakout into small groups, come up with thoughts or ideas, and then share them as a group. Get the ideas on an easel and whiteboard, if you can, in front of the room. Have people rank their priorities of what they find important and why. Make sure everyone in the room feels heard, but spur the conversation in a way to motivate your team. Show them that their collective thoughts, the discussion surrounding it, and their and the team’s actions taken after the meeting, far exceeds anything that technology issues, etc., could hinder.

A proficient trainer possesses a deep understanding of the content they are imparting to their audience or trainees. While technical interruptions can occur with machinery, it's essential to remain composed and rely on alternative effective communication methods. These can include using the lecture method with a whiteboard, or engaging participants through storytelling, drama, or other impactful techniques. The key is to actively involve the audience so they feel more engaged and gain a richer understanding of the subject matter.

Do recaps, introduce pre study exercises, introduce practices as activities before the problem is resolved. This enhances subject connectivity and understanding

Always have a backup plan and be prepared. Know your material and you will be fine. When I am facilitating a training, I have a “what if” plan. If I am facilitating an online course, I will have a downloaded slide presentation. Online whiteboards or taking a time to review or do a quick assessment are ways to improvise. If in person, I have a whiteboard, chart paper and sticky notes, or a preplanned activity ready to go. While having something not go as planned can be frustrating, if you are well prepared, it could turn into a great opportunity. Some of my best training sessions have been when the unexpected happens.

Any technology you’re using in your training should help aid in the session, not be its entirety. If you’re conducting the training, the expectation is that you’re a SME on that particular topic. Improvise and use the time to provide further context, give real-world examples, ask for questions, etc. You should know your content well enough to continue the training - the technical stuff is just icing.

It is a must thing to always have a backup plan, if got stucked somewhere. In this case the trainer could use physical copies of some references to continue the session or could have a offline presentation. One more thing he could do is can have a Q&A session with the participants.

Always have back up plans or plan B's. Although technology helps us in a lot of ways to do our work easier and better, remember there are factors we need also to consider not just software update... power interruptions, no data/internet connections/ main server problems etc...to not just fully rely completely in it. Sometimes it is even a blessing in disguise to cross check your processes if its aligned with the system and this is the time to make adjustments and amendments should you need one.

I train in a Property Management Software and if it goes down during a training, I will just get a Property Management discussion going and then use my knowledge of the software to answer their questions

You should always have a backup plan, especially in a training environment. Having a backup plan keeps you calm and allows you to transition to an alternative method that doesn’t diminish the training. It also allows an opportunity to talk to trainees about the need for maximum preparation and mental agility. In the military we always had contingency plans and it’s something I’ve taken into my career as a professional trainer/speaker.

Having a backup plan is essential. Prepare alternative activities like discussions, case studies, or whiteboard explanations. Use a flip chart or whiteboard to illustrate concepts or note participants' ideas and questions. This ensures you can turn any situation into a valuable learning opportunity.In my experience, these contingencies help maintain training flow and keep participants engaged, even when technical issues arise.

Calmness is the key in any situation like this or similar imbibing a positive attitude and confidence for the people on the other side to think of you as a trained person to handle such glitches. Wearing a smile and talking in general to the crowd helps in the sense of relaxing and removal of anxiety as well of the crowd. You should be actually apologetic on behalf of the institution you are representing and yourself too waving a sense of confidence in others for the delay.

In my experience, technology issues are the perfect opportunity to get creative! This is always a great time to get the class on their feet and moving around the room. Trivia on content already covered is always a winner. I enjoy using this time to answer questions about content, company culture, and even fun facts. People love for their trainer to be relatable. Using this moment to insert an activity that will help learners learn about one another is always appreciated and people ALWAYS appreciate a good, old fashioned break.

It's the perfect time to get participants to share their relevant experiences. You can say : "I want to assure you that this is a relaxed and informal conversation. We’re here to learn from your experiences, and there are no right or wrong answers. Your honest feedback is invaluable to us as we wait for the laptop to get back on."

Engage the Group Keep the group engaged by involving them in interactive discussions or problem-solving activities related to the training topic. This can be a valuable opportunity for participants to share their experiences and insights. AI-powered engagement tools can help facilitate these interactions and keep the session lively.

Review Content Use the downtime to review and reinforce key concepts from the training session. This can help solidify learning and provide an opportunity for participants to ask questions. AI tools can help you quickly pull up relevant content and review materials on the spot.

Como Mike Tyson disse, "Todo mundo tem um plano até levar um soco na boca." Quando uma sessão de treinamento é interrompida por atualizações de software inesperadas, a chave para manter a entrega nos trilhos é adaptar-se rapidamente. Primeiro, informe os participantes sobre o problema e estime o tempo de interrupção. Se for breve, considere uma pausa, encorajando uma discussão informal ou uma atividade leve. Se a interrupção for longa, prepare alternativas, como discussões em grupo sem tecnologia, ou reagende partes críticas da sessão para garantir a cobertura completa do material planejado, mantendo assim o envolvimento e o foco dos participantes. E se possível, usar a experiência para obter aprendizado relacionado ao treinamento.

Esta metodología ayuda para que los participantes socialicen sobre los temas tratados, aclarando las dudas que puedan presentarse en la sesión y las preguntas planteadas por ellos sean resueltas por la persona que dirige la sesión.

"Flexibility in Action! Just had a training session interrupted by an unexpected software update? But, as a professional, you know that the show must go on! That's where flexibility comes in - the ability to adapt to unexpected twists and turns, and still deliver top-notch results. By thinking on your feet, prioritizing tasks, and leveraging backup plans, you can minimize disruptions and keep your delivery on track. Remember, flexibility is not just a skill, but a mindset. It's about being agile, resilient, and committed to excellence, even in the face of unexpected challenges.

You can’t change the external factors but at least you can adopt flexibility in your schedule to be ready to face challenges and adapt new norms.

Flexibility is Key Be prepared to adapt your training plan on the fly. Flexibility allows you to pivot and make the most of the situation, ensuring that learning objectives are still met despite the disruption. AI-driven adaptive learning platforms can suggest alternative activities and content based on real-time needs.

Acknowledge the update and explain the situation calmly. Use this as an opportunity to discuss the importance of adaptability in the workplace. Briefly explain how unforeseen challenges arise, and how effective problem-solving keeps things on track.

The brilliant comments here are on point. The opportunity to show adaptability in real time is a time to shine! With prep, backup plans, even minimally printed materials we can shift to relevant topics and discuss trainee input/questions. Trainees need to see the demonstration of adaptability to buy in to the company holistically. Agree?

Some techniques I've used and found effective in engaging participants when unprecedented interruptions pop up: 1. Case Studies: Sharing stories of what worked and what didn't is a great way to engage the audience. 2. One-minute Paper: As the participants to write a one-minute paper on what they have got from the session till the time it got interrupted with the software updation. 3. 3-2-1: Ask them to share three new things they've learnt from the session, two things they're excited to implement and one thing they would want to know more about as it is still not clear to them. This helps the trainer to understand the sunniest and muddiest points of the session.

Frustrating! Unexpected updates can derail a training session. Here's how to stay on track: ♟️1. Acknowledge the interruption: Briefly explain the update and apologize for the delay. ♟️ 2. Estimate the downtime: See if there's a timeframe for the update. If not, offer a ballpark guess (e.g., "a few minutes"). ♟️3. Review key points: Briefly summarize what you've covered so far to refresh everyone's memory. ♟️ 4. Shift gears (optional): If downtime is long, use the time for a quick activity or discussion related to the training topic. ▪️Example: Discussing a relevant case study while updates install. This keeps the session focused and minimizes disruption. Remember, clear communication is key!

lighthearted approach to the situation can diffuse frustration and make the experience more engaging. A quick joke or relatable anecdote can keep the mood positive.

It is always essential to keep Training materials in organized way and should run the show offline. Also Good to check the compatibility before starting the session.

three ideas to keep your training delivery on track if it’s interrupted by software updates: use these to cover the downtime! 1. Interactive Q&A Session: This can help clarify any doubts, delve deeper into topics already covered, and address specific concerns. It also keeps the session dynamic and maintains participants’ interest. 2. Role-Playing Scenarios: This hands-on approach allows participants to practice what they’ve learned, reinforcing the material and keeping them actively involved while the software updates. 3. Breakout Group Discussions: This encourages collaboration, deepens understanding through peer discussion, and ensures that the training momentum is maintained despite the interruption.