Insight in PIA
Explore the features of the mentoring platform PIA
PIA is a platform for developing, implementing, and managing mentoring services of all types and variations
PIA is a modular, service-oriented platform based on standards. Similar to other digital platforms, PIA adopts a layered architecture, where the platform’s resources are organized into multiple layers, each with its distinct purpose.
The resources in PIA’s layers are microservices. These are independent components that can be orchestrated into composite services. The objective is flexibility and simplification.
The Functions Layer consists of microservices that offer mentoring services and are reused by most mentoring services.
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pia - short road to mentoring
Overview of PIA's functionality
A web service comprises numerous digital components that are integrated to provide a comprehensive and valuable user experience. PIA utilizes standardized web components from reputable suppliers in the development and operation of the platform. PIA’s value revolves around users achieving desired outcomes from mentoring and mentoring processes. For this purpose, PIA offers a portfolio of diverse mentoring services, each tailored to deliver desired results in specific scenarios. PIA also encompasses a range of specialized features. These features are developed by us to provide users with the best possible experience of mentoring services in PIA. Most of these features are reused across all mentoring services.
Digital forms provide structured real-time collaboration
Digital forms in PIA offer real-time collaboration, similar to Google Docs and Microsoft 365. Changes in a form are instantly accessible to all participants, such as within a group. A form provides structure to collaboration, making it easy to integrate into a controlled process. Digital real-time forms are a crucial feature for digital mentoring with PIA.
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The Steps feature manages the form process
A process will consist of a specific number of steps. The Steps feature displays the number of steps involved in a process, information about each individual step, and the user’s progress within the process. Steps that the user doesn’t have access to will be displayed but are not active.
Each individual digital form will have its specific process
The Kanban feature ensures progression in the execution of activities and in competence development
Kanban diagrams are employed in various mentoring processes to provide an overview and manage the execution of activities. For instance, in goal-oriented peer mentoring, where the mentor and mentee collaborate to establish development goals and training plans (based on the practitioner’s existing competency status). The plan would encompass training activities for the mentee and support activities for the mentor. The training activities can include learning resources that aid the activity, such as a training video on a relevant subject. These activities can also feature comments, status updates, and opportunities for dialogue between the mentor and mentee.
Initially, all activities will be placed in the [ON HOLD] column on the far left. These are the activities that the mentor and mentee agree are necessary for the mentee to achieve the established goals. The purpose of the Kanban diagram is to maximize the impact of each activity while concurrently creating momentum to ensure that all activities are completed within the designated timeframe. The mentee (and mentor) select which tasks to prioritize first and move them to the [IN PROGRESS] column. If the mentee encounters difficulties, the activity is placed in the [NEEDS HELP] column, and the assistance requirement is described within the activity.
Once a task is completed, it is moved to the [COMPLETED] column. Activities can be linked to content; for instance, one of the activities could specifically focus on acquiring a particular competency attribute. When the activity is finished, the mentee’s competency profile will be adjusted accordingly. Both the mentor and mentee gain a comprehensive view of progress in the training process, encompassing activity completion and the level of goal achievement.
Both the mentor and mentee are responsible for managing their own activities within the Kanban diagram. Situations can arise where the training plan hasn’t been executed as planned, but the effects of the training work have nonetheless yielded the desired outcome. Systematic improvement also involves enhancing one’s own learning processes – extracting maximum learning from minimal resource expenditure. In such cases, it becomes crucial to continuously evaluate the consequences of deviations between planned and executed activities.
General form features
All digital forms, regardless of the form process, have three general functions:
- Exit form view
- Navigate between form pages (steps in the process)
- Perform form operations such as save, print, activate
The Help feature provides context-sensitive assistance in all contexts
Mentoring is often an extensive and prolonged process. Typically, mentoring takes place in conjunction with other tasks. The need for assistance is significant, especially for those who haven’t participated before. This need for help pertains to various aspects, ranging from how to conduct this type of mentoring to what to input into a particular field. It’s crucial that help is readily accessible when the need arises.
PIA’s Help feature is context-sensitive. This means the assistance you receive is tailored to the situation you’re in. At the same time, you’re provided with the opportunity to explore the entire help system within PIA’s knowledge base.
Regardless of where you are in PIA, you have a question mark icon nearby that you can click on. Some of these are linked to individual fields, some to specific sections, and some to entire pages. You access the help system by clicking on the question mark icon. This will open a popup with the initial help text, which will hopefully guide you further. If you require more assistance, you can delve deeper into PIA’s knowledge base.
The link directs you to the correct location in the knowledge base. Clicking on the link will open the knowledge base in a separate window with the assistance deemed appropriate for the user’s situation.
Once the help needs are addressed, the knowledge base can be closed. Alternatively, the user can explore the entire knowledge base to find the information or assistance they require.
Other common features in PIA
PIA encompasses a wide range of features. Some consist of individual microservices, while others are more complex and composed of several other services. Below is a selection of features to illustrate the diversity.
Sertificates
Some forms of mentoring are designed to lead to achieving specific competencies. For instance, mastering a new practice or being proficient in using a new software system. In such cases, a certificate serves as evidence that an employee possesses the specific competence. Both at the individual and organizational level, such certificates can be desirable. In PIA, there is a ready-made setup for managing, issuing, and handling certificates.
Easy management of learning resources
Most businesses already have digital learning resources they want to incorporate into their mentoring processes. PIA has a dedicated feature to manage and link learning resources to content (such as competencies), mentoring processes (like goal-oriented peer mentoring), and activities (for training, for instance). PIA also provides specific display functions for learning resources.
Digital Collaboration
PIA offers a variety of mentoring services. In all of these, participants collaborate to collectively determine two aspects:
- Where do we stand today?
- What should we do going forward?
There are several methods for achieving this. In PIA, some of these methods are digitalized and can be utilized as resources to address the questions.
