IMC Process Guide

IMC Process Guide is the name of an electronic performance support system (EPSS). The software is developed by e-learning company IMC AG, Saarbrücken.

Process Guide provides context-sensitive help and up-to-date information for software users in case of difficulties with applications. It operates as an employee's personal navigation system that guides users through company and role specific processes.

In contrast to conventional formal learning, the user is not uniquely trained before using software, but receives hints, tips and help as soon as a problem occurs when applying a software in everyday work.

The didactic concept takes into account the so-called forgetting curve, or also known as "Ebbinghaus curve" named after the psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus. The curve describes the high degree of forgetfulness in conventional, formal learning, where only a small part of information is actually moved and therefore saved into the long-term memory of the participants.

The concept is based on the technique of micro learning, where information is divided into small units and the informal learning, which takes place on a day-to-day basis outside the formal educational systems.

Advanced context-sensitive assistance programs like EPSS should not be confused with simple help applications that are usually keyword-triggered. An example for the latter is the well-known, but highly unpopular Clippy. This animated paperclip popped up whenever users typed a certain word or term in Microsoft Office. Clippy was often seen as annoying and removed by Microsoft in 2007. A new generation of virtual assistants, like Microsoft's Cortana uses smarter methods of assessing when and how to offer what help. Help options can appear for instance after a pre-defined time of inaction between two usually connected process-steps, instead of popping up whenever a certain word is typed.

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