Training must be highly interactive and offer simulations of scenarios that employees will encounter on the job.  Objective must be clearly defined and measurable.

I hear and I forget

I see and I remember

I do and I understand

Ancient Chinese Proverb

Effective training materials include good visuals, present new material and provide step-by-step instruction followed by independent exercises.  Training materials must provide participants with places for guided note-taking as well as sufficient white space for them to record their own notes.  The act of writing helps learners commit new information to memory.  Finally, it is essential that training materials clearly identify the audience for which it is intended and identify the WIIFMs* for each group that will participate in training.

While training materials share many characteristics with process documentation, documentation is not a substitute for good training materials.

*What's In It For Me