Training and Education
USM Training
The USM method is supported with the a set of only two training courses. This emphasizes the simplicity of the method: you can easily learn USM if you are capable of unlearning some (or most) of what you have learned before.
All courses are available in Dutch and in English, mostly also online. A free introduction training is provided in a 2 hour workshop, delivered in Dutch and in English, on a regular base. A video recording is also available.
The two courses are USM Foundation and USM Professional:
- USM Foundation - A two-day onsite/online training that teaches you the basics of the USM method. It provides a very practical result: you will immediately be able to set up and improve the routines of your organization in a simple way with no more than 5 processes and 8 workflows. This is the training to get everyone on the same page. USM Foundation is suitable for any service organization, in IT, Human Resources, Finance, Building Management, or any other Facility Management discipline, but also for primary business domains such as government (municipalities, agencies), hospitals, housing corporations, or any other industry. In this way, USM Foundation is the perfect training for an Enterprise Service Management approach, or for a Shared Service Center.
- USM Professional - The USM Professional track is only for service management professionals who want to set up their services with USM. It is the only existing training that qualifies for the title Service management Architect. The USM Professional track is composed of 3 steps: a pre-course assignment, a 2-day professional training, and a final assessment. before starting the USM professional track, you'll need to have completed the Foundation training with a score of 30+ out of 40 at the exam. The USM Portal offers more information about becoming a certified USM Professional.
USM Professionals who have completed the USM Professional track have automatically achieved the level of USM Coach. After additional study and certification, they can also become certified USM Trainers, USM Product Experts, and USM Tool Auditors.
USM self-paced eLearning
In February 2024, the USM Foundation course will be available in a self-paced elearning format.
Experienced service management professionals can use this to get a quick access to the USM Professional track.
USM Applied Tracks
The Scheme shows additional workshops that can be used by USM users: the USM Applied tracks (masterclasses). Those who have taken the USM Foundation training may feel the need for more guidance, for topics that need to be improved in practice. This is delivered in the format of 'applied tracks': short Masterclasses of half a day or a full day (USM workshops). These allow you to deepen your knowledge, understanding, and skills in specific subjects.
USM in Public Education
Another component of the Scheme explains the Public Education track that is made available (for free) to public education institutions and their students.
The SURVUZ Foundation facilitates public education institutions in upgrading their curriculum to modern service management insights. SURVUZ does this for universities, business schools, universities of applied science, as well as for vocational education levels, and for both IT and other facility programs. The knowledge level of graduating students is considerably more in line with the needs of employers if students have a sound understanding of how they can use their acquired skills effectively in the service management system of their employers. For more details, check the page USM in Public Education.
USM Workshops
Based on co-creation projects, the USM Community develops workshops that are used by USM Coaches in USM deployment projects. Two workshops are available:
- Workshop USM Awareness - In a half-day workshop, (management) teams learn to recognize the universal applicability of the USM Management System for their entire organization, or for any subset of their teams.
- Workshop USM Service Agreement - In a half-day workshop, contract managers learn a universal structure for their service agreements, whether with customers, suppliers or internal solution groups. The workshop can be used to teach teams to specify their own services.
USM Trainers and ATOs
USM training is only delivered by qualified USM Trainers. Each trainer has first passed the USM Professional track, to demonstrate that they understand USM's theory as well as its practical application.
All certified USM trainers are listed in a USM Trainer Register. This way, organizations can assure that they are being trained by a qualified trainer and with the certified training resources.
USM Trainers always work through an accredited training organization (ATO). APMG International has been assigned with the quality control of these ATOs, assuring these are professional bodies.
All ATOs are listed in an ATO Register. This way, organizations can assure that they are being trained by a qualified organization, using qualified trainers and certified training resources.
