Field service work environments are fast-paced by nature, which can make it difficult for technicians to absorb and retain the necessary knowledge to perform their jobs. Rushing through a computer module or skimming a paper manual doesn’t fully prepare an employee to complete a task, potentially leading to poor performance and negative outcomes.
3D work instruction software creates digital instructions with interactive animations, text overlays, and step-by-step guidance for enhanced employee training. Moving to paperless work instructions has become an increasingly popular choice for many field technicians because it improves employee knowledge retention. This article explores why employee knowledge retention matters and how digital work instructions can increase it.
Why is Knowledge Retention Important for Field Services?
Knowledge retention is crucial for many employees, but particularly for technicians who don’t have easy access to traditional work instructions in the field. A higher level of knowledge retention offers significant advantages, including:
- Fewer errors: A technician with excellent retention is less likely to make mistakes that could require rework or strain customer relationships.
- Accelerated onboarding: When new employees have greater knowledge retention, it takes less time for them to get up to speed on standards and procedures, so they can get into the field and contribute to your company more quickly.
- Improved employee confidence and performance: Technicians who can easily recall vital information on the job will feel better prepared to carry out their tasks and will have more consistent, high-quality performance.
When knowledge retention is low, you can expect negative outcomes across the board, including inconsistency, higher costs, and slow services. All of these issues can affect the overall success of your business.
The Role of Visualization in Improving Employee Memory
Visual aids and 3D work instructions can substantially improve employee comprehension and recall. They capture employees’ attention and make the information more engaging, which, in turn, leads to better retention and productivity. Work instruction software for manufacturing also makes information easier to grasp and remember and helps technicians prioritize and understand details more effectively.
This is possible because visual stimuli activate the visual cortex in the brain, which leads to quicker processing and potentially stronger memory formation. For example, Boeing used visual instructions with augmented reality (AR) to improve their airline assembly processes. Their employees experienced improved retention and performance as a result, reducing task time by 20% and significantly increasing their first-time accuracy rate.
How 3D Work Instructions Help Employee Knowledge Retention
If your business has only used paper instructions or computer manuals in the past, you might not initially see the connection between 3D instructions and knowledge retention. However, once you put these instructions in place, it quickly becomes clear how they contribute to better information recall.
1. Interactive and Engaging Content
Time and again, studies have shown that active learning is more effective than passive activities, such as reading or listening to instructions. Hands-on strategies make it easier for learners to understand information, connect to the material, and work through complicated details. As a result, when employees use interactive work instructions, they’re more likely to feel interested and retain their knowledge.
For instance, 3D models and interactive tutorials allow employees to manipulate and interact with digital objects. This offers a greater level of retention than simply reading about watching someone else complete a task. It’s also more likely to hold the learner’s attention for a longer period, ensuring they don’t miss out on any important points.
2. Individualized Learning Paths
Many traditional training and instructional methods fail to account for employees’ different learning preferences and strengths. 3D work instructions, on the other hand, tailor training modules to individual paces and needs. Whereas a typical training session would require every person to master the material at the same speed, digital work instructions can adjust to each employee, allowing them to spend more time on a difficult subject before moving forward.
Because they incorporate text, audio, and interaction, 3D work instructions are appropriate for all three types of learners: visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. This makes them a more effective and accessible learning option and prevents employees from feeling discouraged or frustrated by their struggles to comprehend the content.
3. On-Demand Access to Training Material
Many types of training require employees to be in a particular place at a specific time. For instance, if you use computer-based assessments, trainees can only work through them while using a desktop in an office. While paper manuals are easier to transport from place to place, carrying all the materials a technician might need for a job is cumbersome.
Digital work instruction software gives technicians access to their materials anytime, anywhere. A technician who encounters an issue in the field can easily get the instructions they need to overcome the problem and complete the job. Likewise, with digital instructions, employees can complete their training remotely, and immersive technology makes it possible for them to practice tasks without accessing physical environments, equipment, or machinery.
Increase Knowledge Retention With BILT
Improving employee knowledge retention has a domino effect throughout your operations—minimizing errors, maximizing work quality, and preventing safety risks. Using 3D work instruction software not only enhances retention but also improves learner engagement, and it’s versatile to meet different learners’ needs.
BILT offers 3D interactive instructions to guide work on mobile devices and 3D immersive instructions for training on Apple Vision Pro. With iOS, visionOS, and Android apps available worldwide in 12 languages, BILT is a solution for companies across many industries and locations. Employees can also download instructions, which is crucial when they travel to sites with poor or nonexistent WiFi connections.
The BILT app helps reduce cognitive load and adapts to different learning styles to achieve the greatest possible knowledge retention for your employees. Request a demo to see how BILT benefits your field services employees.
