The effectiveness of virtual reality soft skills training in the enterprise: a study

Between February and October 2019, PwC's Emerging Technology Group, US Learning and Development Innovation team, supported by Oculus for Business and Talespin, collaborated to plan, design, build, deploy and evaluate the results of a soft skills training module. The [virtual reality] VR pilot studied the impact of using VR to train new managers on inclusive leadership, a specific soft skills course that is part of PwC's focus on training our leaders about diversity and inclusion. Selected employees from a group of new managers in 12 US locations took the same training in one of the three...  [+] Show more

Between February and October 2019, PwC's Emerging Technology Group, US Learning and Development Innovation team, supported by Oculus for Business and Talespin, collaborated to plan, design, build, deploy and evaluate the results of a soft skills training module. The [virtual reality] VR pilot studied the impact of using VR to train new managers on inclusive leadership, a specific soft skills course that is part of PwC's focus on training our leaders about diversity and inclusion. Selected employees from a group of new managers in 12 US locations took the same training in one of the three learning modalities: classroom, e-learn, or v-learn. Learners were allowed to take the course in only one of the three modalities. The team surveyed and provided learners a pre-assessment prior to and a post-assessment immediately after the course. Users also completed another assessment 30 days later to determine retention and provide any additional learnings they may have discovered. Between November 2019 and February 2020, the team analyzed the data, including evaluating the cost associated with deploying each of the three courses, to compare the value of each of the three modalities. We also investigated what would be necessary to effectively deploy VR training at enterprise scale, with a strong focus on cost-effectiveness and return on investment (ROI).

Excerpt from publication.