S 3.4 Training before actual use of a program

Initiation responsibility: Head of Personnel Section; superiors

Implementation responsibility: Superiors; staff responsible for the individual IT applications

Damage caused by improper handling of IT applications can be avoided if the users are given a detailed briefing on the respective IT applications. Therefore, it is a must for users to be sufficiently trained before assuming IT-supported tasks. This refers to both the use of standard programme packages and specifically developed IT applications.

In addition, training will also have to be provided in case of extensive changes to a given IT application.

Where self-explanatory user manuals on IT applications are available, autodidactic training may be requested. in this case, it is essential that the staff members concerned be given sufficient time for such self-education.

Additional controls:

• Have staff members who are to assume an IT function with which they are not yet acquainted been sufficiently trained? Has a training schedule been developed as regards the introduction of a new IT application?

• Which IT applications have been added since the last review? How have the staff been familiarised with such tasks? Which training activities have since then been attended by staff members?