Latest Contributions by Suzanne-Boden

It's official: next month we're releasing a new version of (and some exciting enhancements to) the Training site. The new site features an updated design and new tools to strengthen learner engagement, support focused learning goals, and personalize the user experience. One thing that's not changing: our laser focus on providing easy access to authoritative learning resources that support individuals and organizations using the ArcGIS platform.   Here's a sneak preview of two features you can expect to see in late June.   Interactive Curriculum Map   The Training catalog houses hundreds of professionally curated resources created by Esri education specialists and subject matter experts. Resources are available in a variety of e-Learning and instructor-led formats.   Given the number of available resources, it can be challenging to determine which resources best meet your unique learning needs, how resources relate to one another, and how to sequence through them. Interactive functionality on the new site helps solve this challenge.   Users will be able to select high-level ArcGIS topics and drill down to see related, focused topics. As they go deeper, a progressively more targeted set of related resources displays. Site users will be able to quickly filter hundreds of learning resources to a very manageable level.   Learning Plan Enhancements   Esri-created learning plans were introduced two years ago to help ArcGIS users build knowledge and skills on specific topics. Each plan contains a set of resources that individuals complete at their own pace. They track their progress through a plan on their My Learning Plans page. On the new site, Esri-created learning plans will still be available.   But there's more! On the new Training site, after identifying resources that meet your needs, you will have the option to add those resources to a learning plan. Yes, you can create your own custom learning plans—from scratch or by making a copy of an Esri-created plan and then adding or removing items to reflect your personal learning goals and interests.   Just like on Pinterest, where you create your own boards and pin interesting items to them, as you explore the Training catalog, with a single click you will be able to add interesting items to your own learning plans.      You can create as many learning plans as you like and you can share them if you want—with specific individuals or publicly so they are available to all Training site users.    And there's more! Learning plan enhancements are directly based on customer feedback. Managers have told us they want a mechanism to leverage their unlimited e-Learning benefit, train new ArcGIS users, support professional development paths, and prepare team members for GIS projects. Educators have told us they want an easy way to assign Esri e-Learning to their students. On the new Training site, you will be able to assign learning plans (Esri-created or custom) and monitor individuals' progress through the plan. Learning plan reports will be available through the Training site.   Lifelong Learning Anytime, Anywhere   The Training site is designed around the idea that authoritative ArcGIS learning resources should be easy to access at any time, from anywhere. With the rapid pace of technology change, individuals and organizations that prioritize lifelong learning will be well positioned to take advantage of new opportunities to gain insight, add value, and advance their goals.   The Training site is where you go to find up-to-date ArcGIS learning resources. In late June, it will also be the place to set and achieve your own learning goals, on a timeline that works for you.   Related post: Introducing Our What's Next ... View more

Updated February 9, 2026 In a dynamic job market, discussions and expert opinions abound about which skills professionals must have to gain the attention of hiring managers. In a dynamic workplace environment, discussion (and disagreement) often centers on how to manage new technologies and technology-enabled capabilities that seem to arrive at lightning speed. Suggestions are usually directed at individuals. But disruption and technology advances over the last few years have wrought major shifts in expectations, and the new expectations have had a huge impact on organizations and their leadership.  Many organizations are looking for ways to not just meet expectations, but create opportunities. Forward-thinking organizations are leveraging new technology capabilities to realize greater efficiencies, build resiliency into operations, and reach new customers. More and more, innovative organizations are using GIS technology to drive new opportunities and growth.  Grow People to Grow Impact Less talked about is the idea of developing employees as a key growth driver. Despite ubiquitous technology that permeates modern life, human ingenuity and creativity remain indispensable. Organizations that pay attention to motivating and retaining employees have leaders who understand that people are their most important asset—the collective engine behind efficient operations, highly engaged customers, and innovative ideas that move the business forward. Workforce development is a people-centric strategy that is directly aligned to strategic business goals. Like anything, to be done well, workforce development requires planning. Planning should encompass support for known projects and initiatives but, more importantly, help prepare individuals and teams to leverage new technologies as a lever to improve the current state and seize new opportunities that arise from the yet-to-be state.   The Planning Process Planning starts with strategic alignment. Managers need to effectively demonstrate how workforce development directly supports the organization's strategic business goals. If they can do that, they earn executive buy-in (and budget approval). Reviewing the organization's mission statement (typically found on the main website) and executive presentations and communications can help confirm or identify strategic business goals. A key activity is to document how the GIS program directly supports the strategic goals. From there, document the workforce roles involved in creating, managing, and using GIS infrastructure and applications. Ask: What are my organization's strategic business goals? How do our GIS applications support the strategic goals? Which workforce roles support the GIS applications that support the strategic goals? Next, analyze the knowledge and skills needed for each role. If there are gaps, start identifying workforce development resources and delivery methods to fill the gaps. Consider priorities, project timelines, and budget. Document your findings. This is the genesis of an actionable workforce development plan. Ask:  What knowledge and skills are required for each role? Based on current and future plans, what are our workforce development priorities? What resources are available to develop the required knowledge and skills? What's our budget? Once the plan is documented, take action and execute. It's important to periodically review progress and the plan itself. Be prepared to modify the plan if a key staff member retires or changes roles, a new role is created, or a new technology component is introduced. It's critical that a workforce development plan maintains its strategic alignment over time. If it doesn't, the plan becomes irrelevant. Ask: Is the plan being executed as intended? Does the plan need to be modified? Is the plan still relevant? Workforce Development Outcomes Explicit outcomes are people developing the right skills at the right time, with an approved budget in place. With the right knowledge and skills in place, day-to-day operations are more efficient and planned projects launch on time and deliver value to the organization. Just as important, managers are able to demonstrate how their team functions as a strategic asset and employees feel valued and excited about their contributions, which leads to higher productivity and retention. From a leadership point of view, the key outcome is a skilled workforce able to navigate the disruptions that technology and other changes may bring—and, more importantly, take advantage of the new opportunities that follow.   ----------------------------------- If you're interested in getting started on your own with workforce development, download our free planning resource. If you'd like to talk with someone about developing your workforce, Esri training consultants offer complimentary planning services to help individuals, teams, and entire organizations get the most value from GIS. ... View more