[4] EDUCATION & ADOPTION: Customized Databricks Training

published on 13 February 2024

Why Invest in Customized Training?

Training offered by data & analytics platform vendors are typically focused on education on key product features and concepts. However, these new solutions are frequently implemented concurrently with significant process and other organizational changes changes. A cohesive training program that combines both the vendor's product features, and the coinciding  process changes yields superior adoption rates and results.  

Why Invest in Customized Databricks Training?

Organizations looking to grow their Databricks environments have a variety of training options to consider (including Databricks official training). 

Our clients told us that they were looking for customized training, which would combine generic Databricks training with technology and process context unique to their organization.

This customized training approach has proven to help T1A's clients build stronger teams, and do more with Databricks, faster.

Vendor specific features and concepts are important, but are best absorbed within an enterprise's unique context and latest organizational standards.
Vendor specific features and concepts are important, but are best absorbed within an enterprise's unique context and latest organizational standards.

What Are Some Example Custom Training Modules?

  1. Introduction to Databricks/Lakehouse: How it has been implemented within your organization
  2. Data access and exploration: How IT and business teams can share information and manage requests together
  3. Data Product Development: How Databricks fits within a larger framework of developing and deploying data products for LOBs
  4. Introduction to Machine Learning with Databricks: Review approved technologies and best practices for creation of new ML products and their ongoing maintenance and monitoring

Your Environment is Unique

Users are able to more easily retain knowledge and start building experience when their training materials refer to the actual combination of solutions and unique naming conventions used within their organization. 

Below are examples of customizations made to the training program for a multinational bank:

  • Reference to system and digital transformation project code names and acronyms 
  • Explain how their selected unified enterprise data governance tool (Alation) integrated with their preferred data & analytics platform (Databricks)
  • Outline supported methods for performing SQL queries on warehouses, which included instructions on using AWS native tools, as well as Databrick's Photon engine as an alternative
  • Illustrated preferred and supported methods for accessing business intelligence tools (Microsoft's PowerBI)
  • Acceptable methods and standards for storing and transferred data (AWS S3)

What Customized Training Outcomes Are Expected?

Splitting content between generic Databricks (~60%) and organization-specific content (40%) allows clients to rapidly realize value from the Databricks platform. 

Students are immediately immersed into the platform, as coaching is performed on exercises built with your own environment.

With recorded videos, past training sessions become a valuable reference for your unique architecture and workflows, acting as a knowledge base.

“Customized Databricks training was an essential part of the roll-out of our global analytics platform initiative. Our first cohort of 40 students, a mix of IT and business users, really enjoyed and benefited from the training”  

~ Data Platform Leader @ Major Bank

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