The Collaborative Learning Methodology CORONET-Train: Implementation and Guidance

The introduction of new methodologies into a software organization is a non-trivial problem because it usually requires the alteration of existing business and development processes and the change of habits and beliefs of software engineers and managers. This is particularly true for comprehensive methodologies that integrate e-learning and knowledge management. An example is the web-based collaborative learning methodology CORONETTrain recently developed in an international research project. This paper describes how CORONET-Train and its supporting software infrastructure WBT-Master can be successfully established and retained in a software organization by using adequate implementation and guidance processes, which take into account aspects of organizational culture. In addition, the paper summarizes results gained from industrial case studies that provide evidence for the effectiveness of these processes.