Immersive training solutions are revolutionizing the way businesses approach employee development. Building towards a highly agile workforce that can run lean, companies across industries are embracing immersive learning tools and platforms as research has consistently shown the benefits of immersive training in improving knowledge retention, attracting talent, and reducing upskilling costs. With the XR market becoming increasingly crowded, the challenge lies in selecting the right technologies to invest in. Below is a free framework that future-focused teams can use to evaluate if an XR solution is right for them.

Hardware

The XR hardware market is changing almost as quickly as the software side. Currently, no device dominates the market, so evaluators must consider whether they can risk selecting a provider that is locked into one device/platform, or if they need a training solution that is hardware agnostic and can be deployed across different platforms.

Applications that are locked into a single platform are often cheaper but run the risk of being unsupported if the manufacturer stops making devices or offering updates. Hardware-agnostic applications are more future-proof but are usually more expensive. Other hardware-related special considerations that impact software choice include:

Whether users can be tethered or must be untethered
If it’s practical to use controllers or if trainees must be handsfree
Whether the device must be intrinsically safe (ex. Class I, Div I)

Level of Immersion

Extended reality exists on a spectrum called the Milgram scale. At one end, the closest to regular reality is augmented reality solutions, which typically use a see-through visor to project digital content in a user's field of view. Virtual reality solutions reside on the opposite end of the scale. These applications completely immerse a user in a virtual environment. Mixed reality, or spatial computing, sits in the middle. Mixed reality solutions allow the user to see their real-world surroundings, but use computer vision to intelligently overlay digital elements that appear to interact with the environment. A variation of mixed reality is pass through VR or just ‘pass through’. Pass-through uses a device's forward-facing cameras to mirror what a user would see in near-real time while layering in digital content. Which level of immersion a training program requires will vary by use case. In general, the degree of situational awareness required will often determine where on the scale users need to be. If trainees are going to interact with their real-world environment, one another, or their instructor, then augmented or mixed-reality solutions are the best choice. If situational awareness is not required, and completely simulating a particular environment is the priority, then virtual reality or pass-through will likely win out.

Scalability

Software scalability is the ability for a solution to handle an unlimited number of users and content, without drastically changing the underlying infrastructure. It also refers to the ability of a solution to easily integrate new technologies. The latter is important when considering cybersecurity and managing risk. While custom solutions are tailored to meet a particular customer need, they have limited scalability. Prospective XR training customers ought to consider the cost/benefit of going with a custom solution, versus an off-the-shelf scalable solution that is suitable for wider rollout and keeping up with new integrations when selecting a software provider.

Content Authoring

Getting an XR headset and a chosen software platform is only half the exercise. Next, you need content to power the training. Most organizations have a library of content in some form (PowerPoint, video, computer-based training, etc.), but you need a way of making it XR-native. As an end-user, you have three options:

Self-authoring
No-code self-authoring
Content creation as a service

Most XR providers will offer Option 3, content creation as a service, and that is usually the fastest way to start, but isn’t sustainable. Relying on the software provider for all of your content will bottleneck training digitization and creation, and result in a hefty bill over time. For long-term planning that leaves self-authoring, which comes in two varieties: no-code and code-rich self-authoring. Self-authoring will allow for more flexibility if you have in-house coding abilities, otherwise no-code authoring is the way to go.

Single User vs Multi-User or Shared Experience

Multi-user takes on a new dimension with XR training. Most XR training providers can easily meet single-user requirements, but if you need to train in teams or groups, or with an instructor privy to the training experience, customers will need a multi-user XR application. Multi-user options are sometimes called shared experiences. The mechanics behind convincing shared experiences are achieved in different ways, and prospective customers should ask how the training provider provides that experience and any limitations such as being tethered or hardwired and lower latency.

Match Learning Goals to XR Training Module Styles

Not all extended reality training works for all learning types. Hyper-realistic virtual reality might work best for experiential learning. If you need to reinforce muscle memory with repetition, mixed reality might work better because users can maintain situation awareness for a hybrid experience. If the goal is to improve retention then augmented reality could be sufficient. High-impact practices (HIP) might best be delivered in a mixed reality, collaborative experience. There are currently no holistic rules for matching learning goals to XR experience types, as there is high variability between use cases.

Extensibility to operations

Extended reality training has the uncommon ability to transition from classroom to operations. Not every customer will need this, but it is an option to consider. For example, if you are using XR to train personnel on a technical task such as inspecting a pressure transmitter, technicians can also use XR-guided workflows when completing transmitter inspections in the field. Ideally, the training solution should be the same or as similar as possible to the training tool. There is also a cost and productivity saving in having people use the same software on-the-job that they train on.

Survivability

No one wants to talk about the worst-case scenario, but as the XR space is consolidated, contingency plans are a must. When selecting an XR training software be sure to ask and understand what happens if the company you are buying from is acquired by another company, or if they go under. Just because a company is acquired, does not guarantee that the new owner will honor existing contracts or continue to provide support, unless there is paperwork in place.

Final Thoughts

Immersive training solutions are transforming employee development initiatives by addressing skill shortages in the workforce. By choosing the right hardware, software, and solutions, companies can provide employees with a - quite literal - unforgettable training experience that drives top-line growth and carves out a competitive edge.

How To Compare XR Training Solutions