I have been the Sqn Trg Off for over 5 years and have always used Microsoft Excel to plan the training programme. Over these years the spreadsheet, which shows which classes and activities, each classification will be partaking has taken many different forms, but its never been quite right.
The spreadsheet itself is now such a vast document with tabs for yearly overview, instructors etc, along with a load of formulas, its not very efficient way of working. I’m now looking to plan 2015 and want a complete change, to those ends, what other software/programs are there on the market to make my life easier? There must be a better way of planning the training programme, am I missing something?
Any advice on better programmes would be warmly welcomed! Thanks in advance!
Probably like you we’ve used Excel for years and while unweildy perhaps everyone (practically) can use it and has it, which is important when there is a change in who does what. The only potential alternative I’ve seen is project management software that developers and engineers use at work but I’ve never used. It might work but might be too much. I’ve looked into doing some courses but as I’d never use it or invent ways to use it, it’s difficult to justify. I don’t know what the cost implication is for this, but might a stumbling block for CWCs.
I’ve got to admit the most recent incarnations of excel with additional formatting options have provided an easier means for highlightiing things without getting into a lot of coding.
We had a treasurer who used accounting software they used at work and when they went so did access to the software. We’ve used Excel ever since.