Establish a training and upskilling strategy for makers

2025-05-14

Establishing a training and upskilling strategy ensures your employees are proficient in using Power Platform and fosters a culture of continuous learning and adaptability. This article explores key considerations for developing an effective training strategy.

From awareness to value: The persona-based approach to community training and content

In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, organizations are always looking for ways to boost productivity and foster innovation. To achieve continuous improvement and maximize value, tailor training and content to the needs and maturity levels of the different personas using Power Platform. We've identified three key personas for Power Platform: Explorer, Innovator, and Champion. Each persona represents a distinct stage in the journey from initial awareness to creating significant value.

Explorer: Embarking on a digital adventure

The Explorer persona is at the beginning of their journey, eager to unlock personal productivity and discover new tools. They're curious about Power Platform and want to learn how to build apps, flows, and agents. Key questions for Explorers include:

What is Power Platform?
How do I build an app, a flow, or an agent?
What guardrails do I need to know about?

To support Explorers, offer activities and resources such as:

Show and tell sessions: These sessions provide an overview of new tools, features, or updates. Allow participants to see the practical applications and benefits of the technology by including demonstrations and presentations in these sessions. Make these sessions interactive, and encourage attendees to ask questions and engage in discussions. Learn more about organizing show and tell sessions.
Where to go for help: Provide a resource that offers clear guidance on where users can find assistance when they encounter issues or have questions. This resource should include information on support channels such as help desks, knowledge bases, and contact details for technical support teams. A well-defined help resource lets users quickly resolve problems and continue their work with minimal disruption. Learn more about setting up a community hub.
Power Platform in a Day events: These events are hands-on workshops where participants learn to build solutions using the Power Platform products in a single day. Guided by experts, attendees go through the entire development process from concept to deployment. These events are highly practical, providing participants with the skills and confidence to create their own solutions. They're ideal for beginners. Learn more about Power Platform in a Day workshops and organizing internal training events.
Self-paced training: Self-paced training allows users to learn at their own speed and convenience. This training should include an online course, tutorials, and instructional videos that users can access anytime. This type of training is flexible, accommodating different learning styles and schedules. It empowers users to take control of their learning journey and progress at a comfortable pace. Check out Power Up, an immersive training program designed to empower individuals and teams with the skills and knowledge needed to harness the full potential of Power Platform. This comprehensive training covers everything from the basics of building apps to advanced features and best practices. Participants engage in hands-on workshops, interactive sessions, and real-world projects, ensuring they gain practical experience and confidence in using the platform. Power Up aims to transform participants into proficient makers who can drive innovation and efficiency within the organization.
Success stories: Success stories highlight real-world examples of how individuals or teams successfully implemented Power Platform solutions to achieve their goals. These stories serve as inspiration and provide practical insights into best practices and innovative solutions. They demonstrate the tangible benefits of the technology and encourage others to explore its potential. Learn more about sharing success stories

The primary goal for Explorers is to create value for themselves, enhancing their individual productivity and skills.

Innovator: Transforming teamwork

Innovators are focused on transforming teamwork and crafting solutions that drive departmental success. They're interested in advanced features and understanding the necessary guardrails. Key questions for Innovators include:

What guardrails do I need to know about?
How do I tap into new and advanced features?

To support Innovators, offer activities and resources such as:

Design inspiration and templates: Offer prebuilt examples and frameworks to help users kickstart their projects. These resources can include sample apps, workflows, and components that demonstrate best practices and innovative solutions. Using these templates, makers can save time and gain insights into effective design principles, enhancing the quality and functionality of their own creations.
"Ask an expert" events: "Ask an expert" events are interactive sessions where users can connect with experienced developers and experts to seek advice, troubleshoot issues, and gain deeper insights into Power Platform features. These events provide a valuable opportunity for users to ask specific questions, learn from real-world examples, and receive personalized guidance. These events connect newer makers with experts to bridge knowledge gaps and speed up learning.
Guardrails and support expectations: Establishing clear guardrails and support expectations helps users safely and effectively build Power Platform solutions. It also ensures makers understand what they can and can't do with Power Platform. Guardrails refer to guidelines and best practices that help users avoid common pitfalls and adhere to organizational standards. Support expectations outline the resources available to users, such as help desks, documentation, and community forums. By providing this framework, organizations ensure that users have the necessary support to succeed while maintaining compliance and security. Learn more about setting up a community hub.
Hackathons: Hackathons are collaborative events where participants come together to develop innovative solutions using Power Platform. These events typically span a few days and involve brainstorming, coding, and presenting final projects. Hackathons encourage creativity, teamwork, and rapid problem-solving. They let participants apply their skills in a dynamic and competitive environment. They also provide a platform for showcasing talent, networking with peers, and gaining recognition for innovative ideas. Learn more about organizing hackathons.
Badges and rewards: Badges and rewards are an effective way to recognize and motivate users as they progress through their Power Platform training. By earning badges for completing courses, participating in events, or achieving specific milestones, users receive tangible acknowledgment of their efforts and skills. Rewards can range from digital certificates to exclusive access to advanced training sessions or community events. This approach not only encourages continuous learning but also fosters a sense of accomplishment and community engagement.

Innovators aim to create value for their teams by fostering collaboration and efficiency.

Champion: Leading Innovation

Champions are leaders in innovation, pioneering solutions that redefine efficiency within the organization. They seek to share their knowledge and expertise with others.

Key questions for Champions include:

How do I tap into new and advanced features?
How can I share my knowledge?

To support Champions, offer activities and resources such as:

Champions program: A champions program is designed to identify and empower individuals within an organization who are passionate about Power Platform and can lead by example. These champions act as advocates, sharing their knowledge and expertise with their peers and driving adoption and innovation. The program typically includes exclusive training sessions, recognition, and opportunities for champions to contribute to the development of best practices and community initiatives. By fostering a network of champions, organizations can accelerate the spread of skills and enthusiasm for the Power Platform. Learn more about the role of champions within the community.
Early access to feature releases: Feature releases are updates that introduce new functionalities and improvements to Power Platform. Early access to feature releases can be a great benefit for Power Platform champions, providing them with the opportunity to explore new functionalities before they're widely available. This early access allows champions to stay ahead of the curve, gaining a deeper understanding of the latest tools and enhancements.
Premium and custom connectors: Premium and custom connectors allow users to integrate Power Platform solutions with a wide range of external services and applications. Train champions to set up connectors, follow best practices, and use examples to enhance their solutions.
Code review standards and application lifecycle management (ALM): Code review standards and ALM processes maintain the quality and reliability of Power Platform solutions. Training in this area covers best practices for writing and reviewing code, ensuring consistency, and adhering to organizational standards. ALM involves managing the entire lifecycle of an application, from development to deployment and maintenance. It includes version control, automated testing, and continuous integration and delivery. Implementing robust code review and ALM practices ensures solutions are scalable, secure, and maintainable. Learn more about recommendations to build a culture of operational excellence.
Microsoft certifications: Microsoft certifications validate an individual's expertise in using Power Platform and related technologies. These certifications are recognized industry-wide and can enhance career prospects and credibility. Training for certifications typically includes comprehensive courses, practice exams, and study materials that cover the required knowledge and skills. Achieving certification demonstrates a high level of proficiency and commitment to professional development, benefiting both the individual and their organization. Enable and support your champions in taking Microsoft certifications to progress their career further. Learn more about Microsoft Power Platform certifications.

Champions strive to create value for the entire business and drive widespread innovation and efficiency.

Persona-based training strategy: A structured approach to empowering makers

Effective training empowers users and drives innovation. A persona-based training approach tailors the learning experience to the specific needs and maturity levels of different user groups. This method ensures that each user receives the appropriate level of support and guidance, maximizing their potential and contribution to the organization.

The following is a suggested approach for training based on the three personas:

Maker community: A community provides a collaborative environment where learners share ideas and resources. It's ideal for Explorers who are just starting and need a supportive community to guide them. Champions and Innovators can also benefit from this community by contributing their expertise and learning from peers.
Introduction session: Aimed at Explorers, this session offers a simple and accessible entry point into Power Platform. It provides foundational knowledge without overwhelming beginners, so they grasp basic concepts before moving on to more complex material.
Build a solution bootcamp: This workshop is perfect for Champions who are ready to dive deeper into specific skills. It offers hands-on experience and practical knowledge, enabling learners to build real-world applications. Innovators can also participate, but they might require extra support to keep up with the pace.
Coaching: Personalized coaching sessions are tailored to the needs of Champions and Innovators. These sessions provide in-depth guidance and mentorship, helping learners tackle complex challenges and refine their skills. Explorers can benefit from coaching as well, but the focus is on building confidence and foundational skills.
Build with you: This collaborative approach pairs learners with experts to work on projects together. It's ideal for Innovators who need advanced support to bring their ideas to life. Champions can also benefit from this option by gaining insights from experienced professionals.
Power Platform in a Day: This guided training is designed for Explorers who are new to Power Platform. These events are hands-on workshops where participants build applications using Power Platform products in a single day. Guided by experts, attendees go through the entire development process, from concept to deployment. Learn more about Power Platform in a Day workshops and organizing internal training events.

Balance depth of interaction and scalability

The key to successful training lies in balancing depth of interaction with scalability and repeatability. By offering a range of training options, organizations ensure that each learner receives the appropriate level of engagement tailored to their needs.

Explorers benefit from simpler, more frequent touchpoints that build foundational knowledge without overwhelming them.
Innovators need a mix of both simple introductions for quick onboarding and in-depth sessions for complex problem-solving.
Champions require more advanced hands-on sessions that delve deeper into specific topics and provide personalized coaching.

This approach allows organizations to effectively train diverse groups by providing scalable solutions for beginners, intermediate learners, and advanced users. Tailoring training experiences to different personas maximizes the impact of training programs and ensures that all learners reach their full potential.

Microsoft training resources

Microsoft offers a comprehensive suite of training resources designed to empower individuals and organizations to harness the full potential of Power Platform.

Power Up

The Power Up Program is an initiative aimed at helping users get started with Microsoft Power Platform. On successful completion of the program, users should be in a position to help identify business problems where technology can benefit daily operations. During the training, participants will:

Build solutions: Create solutions, automate processes, and analyze data using Power Platform.
Be guided: Learn new skills with a practical curriculum, hands-on exercises, and expert-led sessions on demand.
Earn voucher: Earn a voucher for a Microsoft Power Platform certification exam upon successful completion of program requirements.
Receive recognition: Earn a badge for completing the program successfully, which can be shared on a resume or on social media.
Get support: Get help from hundreds of volunteers, peers, and local events throughout the program. You're never alone in your learning journey.

The Power Up program offers a free, innovative way to stay ahead in the digital world with a hands-on Learn/Ask/Experiment approach. Learn new skills for AI transformation with a focus on Power Platform and Copilot Studio.

Join Power Up:

As an individual: Begin your learning journey by visiting aka.ms/PowerUp.
As a group: Register your team by visiting aka.ms/PowerUp.
As an enterprise: Upskill your workforce. Contact PowerUpProgramInfo@microsoft.com for details on how to get started.

Microsoft Learn for Power Platform

Microsoft Learn for Power Platform offers structured learning paths for Microsoft Power Platform. The platform provides interactive, self-paced learning modules that cover a wide range of topics, from the fundamentals to advanced features. The training is designed to be accessible and engaging, making it easy for users to learn at their own pace and track their progress.

Organizations can use Microsoft Learn training to upskill their teams and drive digital transformation. The platform offers tools and resources to integrate training into your organization’s learning and development programs. Learn more about using Microsoft Learn in your organization

Microsoft in a Day workshops

Microsoft's Power Platform in a Day workshops are immersive, hands-on training sessions designed to help participants quickly gain practical skills in using Power Platform. These workshops provide a comprehensive introduction to the platform's capabilities, including Power Apps, Power Automate, and Copilot Studio. Register for a workshop and leave with a solid understanding of how to use Power Platform to solve real-world business problems and enhance your organization's productivity.

Microsoft Power Platform Fundamentals (Certification)

For those looking to validate their skills, the Microsoft Power Platform Fundamentals (Certification) is an excellent option. This certification demonstrates a foundational understanding of the Power Platform, including Power Apps, Power Automate, and Copilot Studio. It's ideal for individuals who want to showcase their knowledge and enhance their career prospects. After earning the fundamentals certificate, explore more Microsoft Power Platform certifications.

Power Platform community

Engaging with the Power Platform Community is a great way to connect with other users, share knowledge, and get support. These communities provide forums, blogs, and events where users can discuss their experiences, ask questions, and learn from each other. Joining a community helps you stay updated on trends and best practices.

Sponsorship

As you start involving more people from across your organization, you need buy-in from various stakeholders.

Citizen developers come from all parts of your organization and, traditionally, aren't part of IT. Because these people have "day jobs," they need manager buy-in to set aside time to learn about Power Platform. Making digital transformation a core objective and goal of your company is an effective way to ensure makers of all parts of the organization can dedicate time to learning about Power Platform and attending internal and external training events.

An effective way to gain buy-in is to highlight the positive impact the project and community can have for different stakeholders.

Building an innovation friendly culture takes time. It's important to address people's concerns about how it might affect their part of the organization in the short term and long term.

Next step

Host internal training events