This is a core product that forms the basis of much of what we train, either as whole qualifications or broken down into shorter skills programmes. ZTQ Solutions is currently accredited for the following qualifications and their constituent unit standards:

We are also in the process of acquiring accreditation on the following occupational (QCTO) qualifications:

Who might you use this product?

• You are an organisation that has a need to train a group of people on any of the disciplines covered by one or more of the qualifications. You may run it as a learnership for new recruits or just as a developmental opportunity for your existing staff.
• You are an individual aspiring to gain the knowledge and skills offered by one of the qualifications and would like to slot into a course we are running.
• You are a SETA that aims to employ the services of ZTQ Solutions, especially to train youth in a rural context.

What is the delivery medium?

• Classroom.
• Online (if the content will allow).
• Hybrid of classroom and online.

What’s included:

• The full or partial application of the ASOC Ready process, as agreed with us.
• Tuition.
• Access to the course materials (not all material is paper-based. With modern curation methods afforded by the Internet you can expect materials to be both online and paper-based or digital).
• Assessments with feedback.
• Learning administration.
• Management of learners.
• Moderation services.
• Mentoring, as agreed with us.
• Use of the t-LMS by your learners.

ZTQ Solutions uses the t-LMS under a reseller’s license agreement with Tawanda Learning, who are the original developers. The owner of Tawanda Learning is also a Director of ZTQ Solutions. This relationship empowers us to offer the t-LMS on a Software as a Service (SaaS) basis to organisation who wish to use the program.

Who might you use this product?

• Organisations with medium to large numbers of staff who have in-house training departments that develop and deliver, or insource, training courses.
• Organisations that contribute to the Skill Development Levy (SDL) and who wish to automate their WSP and ATR reporting for Mandatory Grant and/or Discretionary Grant claiming purposes.
• Training providers who want an online platform from which to deliver their eLearning course and/or manage their learners who are on Learnerships or skills programmes.

Where is the product delivered?

• From a web and database server which is hosted and manged by ZTQ Solutions.  You have the choice to place it on a shared server if the number of users is small, or have us host it on a dedicated server for your company. You will still own the domain name that it is hosted under and the data is obviously yours, however the software remains the property of Tawanda Learning.
• From a web and database server you supply and manage yourselves. ZTQ Solutions will never-the-less require access to the software files and database in order troubleshoot issues and update/upgrade the software.

What’s included?

• The software and database.
• The hardware (optional).
• Technical support via email and telephone to Administrators, and troubleshooting and bug fixes.
• Upgrades and enhancements that are initiated by ZTQ Solutions.
• Help manual for the Learner role.

What’s not automatically included, but may be negotiated?

• Training of t-LMS Administrators, authors, assessors, moderators and trainers.
• Enhancements that are requested by the client.
• Travel to installation sites for troubleshooting.
• Server management, unless we are hosting the installation on your behalf.
• Technical support directly to learners. Learners need to direct technical support via their t-LMS Administrator.
• Learning material and assessment content support.
• Beyond the initial start-up data requirements, data capturing of any kind – users, qualifications, assessments, results, eLearning courses, surveys etc,

What follow-on/other services might you engage ZTQ Solutions to do?

• Manage your Learnership projects and defined skills course delivery projects.  We will perform the end-to-end management functions offered by the t-LMS, but the key business decisions, as and when they arise, will remain yours to take. For example, we will capture your assessments, an configure their run-time parameters but only according to your instructions.
• Manage your entire in-house installation of the t-LMS including acting as your SDF and the submission of WSP and ATR reports.
   

ZTQ Solutions has the ability to analyse and design bespoke curricula for in-house (or other) courses based on the needs of identified occupations. We follow a process known as Developing a Curriculum (or DACUM). The process is immensely beneficial to organisations because of the insights concerning work outputs and processes that emerge from it. However, the major output is an organised list of knowledge and skills statements that encompass the needs of the occupation (see the Figure below).

Running a DACUM is a facilitated process that involves ZTQ Solutions supplying a skilled facilitator and the organisation supplying managers, subject experts and operational staff who determine the content of the output as the process unfolds. It is a creative process and requires the participants to analyse, debate, motivate, compromise and reach consensus.

Who might you use this product?

• You are an organisation who has recently undergone a re-organisation or you are contemplating one. Alternatively, you believe that your staff’s productivity is low (especially due to a lack of knowledge and skill) or perhaps there is duplication of effort or even gaps in your business processes.

Where is the product delivered?

• Classroom/boardroom (preferable away from the participants’ offices)

What’s included?

• Needs analysis to understand the forces driving the business and establish if the product is indeed what is needed. If the problem you are experiencing is NOT due to a deficit in knowledge and skill then the process is pointless. A needs analysis may involve administering assessments that sample the desired knowledge, skill or behaviour.
• Administrative arrangements.
• Training of the participants to ensure they understand the DACUM concepts and process. This also, identifies supporters and opponents of the process before proceeding.
• Facilitation of the DACUM process (typically this also involves conflict resolution and negotiation).
• Report and recommendations covering the occupations, duties, outputs, high-level business processes, process inputs and resources, list of knowledge and skill per occupation.

What follow-on/other services might you engage ZTQ Solutions to do?

• Training material design and development for both traditional classroom delivery methods or eLearning or a blend of them.
• Designing action learning interventions.
• Designing job descriptions.
• Mentoring.
• Designing performance management tools based on the work outputs’ analysis of the DACUM.
• Training delivery.

Our close relationship with Zakheni ICT (Pty) Ltd, has resulted in ZTQ Solutions developing a sound grasp of software testing, especially the following kinds of testing:

• System Testing (including Negative Tests)
• Integration testing for third-party services and APIs
• Regression Testing 
• Smoke or Sanity Testing
• User Acceptance Testing
• Security Testing
• Mobile Testing 
• Performance (Load, Soak, Stress and Volume) Testing 
• Data migration testing

We will slot in with the development methodology being used by the software developer company but will follow the process outline in Figure 10 below as a minimum requirement.

Who might you use this service?

• Companies who develop software.
• Companies who test software.

Where is the service delivered?

• The service can be delivered remotely or at the client’s premises.

This service entails ZTQ Solutions developing the knowledge and skills needed to successfully train a client’s staff to use a bespoke software application – typically one that has been designed and developed in-house.

Who might you use this service?

• Any organisation who needs to implement a new software application.
• Companies specialising in software development.

Where is the service delivered?

• The service can be delivered remotely or at the client’s premises.

What’s included?

• Analysis of the business requirements for the software, the business processes and the software itself with a view to understanding the business needs and the software solution that was developed/bought.
• Preparation of training plans and schedules.
• Administrative arrangements for the training infrastructure.
• Liaison with the client’s designated staff on all correspondence pertaining to the training delivery.
• Course facilitation.
• Supervision over assessments’ delivery and marking.

What follow-on/other services might you engage ZTQ Solutions to do?

• Bespoke IT training material development, including assessments.
• Supply and administration of the t-LMS.

 

This service entails ZTQ Solutions developing the knowledge and skills needed to successfully develop the training material for a bespoke software application – typically one that has been designed and developed in-house.

We can develop material for the following delivery methods:

• Classroom
• eLearning
• Blended

Who might you use this service?

• Any organisation who needs to implement a new software application.
• Companies specialising in software development.

Where is the service delivered?

• The service can be delivered remotely or at the client’s premises.

What’s included?

• Analysis of the business requirements for the software, the business processes and the software itself with a view to understanding the business needs and the software solution that was developed/bought.
• Preparation of training objectives.
• Writing the course content.
• Developing the assessments and answer keys.
• Liaison with the client’s designated staff on all correspondence pertaining to the training delivery.

What follow-on/other services might you engage ZTQ Solutions to do?

• Bespoke IT system training.
• Supply and administration of the t-LMS.

The need for a professionally implemented change management approach often flows from pervasive changes in an organisation that can arise from any of the following drivers:

• Change in market dynamics
• Organisational growth or restructuring
• New or changes regulatory requirements
• New technology advancements
• Employee engagement and resistance
• The need for greater operational efficiency
• Cultural shifts
• Risk management
• Customer expectations
• Strategic alignment

ZTQ Solutions advocates for the use of the Prosci model TM, which is a widely recognised approach for managing organisational change effectively. We use associates from our network who specialise in change management to deliver this service.
 

It is far too ambitious to try to outline all the details of change management on this website, so, in short, it consists of the following three elements:

1. A three-phase process for managing change, each with its own set of activities that deliver core change management outputs, namely:

• Prepare for change.
• Manage change.
• Reinforce change.

2. The application of the ADKARTM model (see the Figure below) which is a framework for understanding how individuals experience change at a personal level. It stands for:

• Awareness: Understanding why change is needed.
• Desire: Developing the willingness to participate and support the change.
• Knowledge: Acquiring the necessary information and skills to change.
• Ability: Demonstrating the capability to implement the change successfully.
• Reinforcement: Ensuring that the change is sustained over time.

3. The five Levers of Change Management: The Prosci model identifies five levers that organisations can use to influence and manage change effectively:

• Project Management: Ensuring that change initiatives are well-planned, executed, and monitored.
• Leadership/Sponsorship: Engaging and empowering leaders to champion change and communicate its importance.
• Change Management: Applying structured approaches, tools, and methodologies to manage the people side of change.
• Training and Development: Providing relevant training and resources to equip individuals with the skills needed to adopt and sustain change.
• Communication: Implementing clear, timely, and targeted communication strategies to engage stakeholders and build awareness and support for change.

Who might you use this service?

• Organisations who are experiencing any of the driving forces for change that were outlined above.

Where is the service delivered?

• The service can be delivered remotely and at the client’s premises.

What’s outputs can you expect?

ZTQ Solutions will devise and implement a change management strategy and operational plan that will include objectives and tasks that will lead to the following outputs:

1. Increased Awareness of the Need for Change: Clients can expect employees and stakeholders to gain a clear understanding of why the change is necessary and how it aligns with organisational goals and objectives.
2. Enhanced Desire to Participate and Support the Change: Clients can anticipate increased willingness among employees to actively engage in and support the change initiative, leading to higher levels of commitment and motivation.
3. Improved Knowledge and Skills to Adapt to Change: Clients can expect employees to acquire the knowledge, skills, and resources necessary to adapt to the change successfully. This may involve providing training programs, workshops, and resources tailored to address specific learning needs.
4. Enhanced Ability to Implement the Change: Clients can anticipate employees demonstrating the capability to implement the change effectively in their day-to-day work activities. This includes adopting new processes, systems, behaviours, and ways of working aligned with the desired change.
5. Reinforcement of Change Adoption and Sustainment: Clients can expect mechanisms to be in place to reinforce and sustain the change over time. This may involve recognition of achievements, celebration of milestones, ongoing communication, and embedding change into organizational culture and practices.
6. Effective Change Leadership and Sponsorship: Clients can anticipate strong leadership and sponsorship support for the change initiative. This includes visible and active involvement of leaders in communicating the vision, providing resources, removing obstacles, and modelling desired behaviours.
7. Engagement and Support of Stakeholders: Clients can expect effective engagement and support from key stakeholders throughout the change process. This involves building relationships, addressing concerns, soliciting feedback, and ensuring stakeholders feel valued and involved in decision-making.
8. Timely and Targeted Communication: Clients can anticipate clear, consistent, and timely communication strategies tailored to different stakeholder groups. This ensures that employees are well-informed about the change initiative, its progress, and how it impacts them.
9. Measurable Change Outcomes: Clients can expect to see measurable outcomes and results of the change initiative, such as improved performance metrics, increased customer satisfaction, cost savings, or other key performance indicators aligned with the desired change.

Having access to the t-LMS program and expertise in the DACUM process gives ZTQ Solutions an advantage when it comes to designing and developing OBJECTIVE training needs analyses.

All too often training needs are determined by managers and individuals in a SUBJECTIVE way. At best, this is hit and miss approach that may lead to a considerable waste of time and money to the company if staff are trained on poorly identified needs.

The ZTQ Solutions approach is to use the DACUM method to identify the jobs’ outputs together with their knowledge and skills, and then to devise assessments to measure all, or a sample, of the knowledge and skills. The organisation can decide on the scope of a training needs analysis (TNA) project based on its strategic and operational drivers and analysis of problems experienced.

Using associates who are skilled in the targeted outputs, ZTQ Solutions will devise a set of assessments that measure a sample of the knowledge and skill. These assessments will cover competence in theoretical and operational knowledge as well as the skills needed to produce a job output, in a combination of questions that can be marked automatically by the t-LMS or by a competent assessor.

The result of a ZTQ Solutions training needs analysis is therefore far more OBJECTIVE than would be achieved by an individual’s opinion. See Figure 13: Objective Assessment Result Report below.

A major benefit of this approach is that the assessments can be re-used, both for the recruitment of new staff and when training and promoting existing staff.

 
Who might you use this service?

• Organisations who are spending large amounts of money on training and development.
• Organisations who want to give greater focus to their training initiatives so as to cut down on fruitless expenditure.
• Organisations who need to set up an inhouse training infrastructure.

Where is the service delivered?

• The service can be delivered remotely and at the client’s premises.

What’s outputs can you expect?

• A TNA plan.
• One or more DACUM analyses documented.
• Assessments.
• t-LMS configured and ready to deliver the assessments.
• TNA report and recommendations.

ZTQ Solutions has the ability to manage your projects, especially those that relate to:

• Software development.
• Software testing.
• Training projects such as Learnerships and Training Needs Analyses.

Project Management is a discipline that covers a range of outputs and it is up to the client to decide on the scope of the service that ZTQ Solutions must supply.  Typically, the scope is made up of a selection of the following project planning elements depending on the complexity of the project:

• Project Charter
• Stakeholder Management
• Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
• Project Schedule
• Resource Allocation and Management
• Financial Management
• Risk Management
• Procurement Management
• Communication Plan and Management
• Change Management
• Quality Management
• Status Reports
• Project Documentation
• Lessons Learned
• Project Closure Report

All our projects are managed using MS Project (See image 14 below) and will be run under the direct supervision of an accountable officer appointed by the client.

Who might you use this service?

• Organisations who are embarking on any venture that is related to software development projects, IT infrastructure upgrades, system implementations, website development projects, and technology integration initiatives.

Where is the service delivered?

• The service can be delivered remotely and at the client’s premises.

What’s outputs can you expect?

• Achievement of Project Objectives
• Adherence to the Scope
• Adherence to the Schedule
• Compliance with the Budget
• Quality of Deliverables
• Satisfied Stakeholders
• Effective Risk Management
• Clear Communication
• Optimal Resource Utilisation
• Effective Change Management
• Meaningful Documentation