Learning 360: Crafting a Comprehensive View of Learning at Walmart Using a Graph

For years, a notable large retailer has been struggling to manage a vast array of the learning content of different types, formats, and systems. Though the content itself was of high value, it was too often hidden in siloed systems, or difficult to find due to lack of integration across platforms. To address this long-standing challenge, this retailer developed a graph database to bring together diverse content and surface it via a semantic search and entity association engine.

This detailed case study will walk through the retailer's journey, including the early stages of planning, software selection, Agile design and development, and ongoing iteration to add new features. It will also include the proven methodology applied to engage business users in the design process, helping to drive the adoption of this highly formative new tool for the large retailer.

Attendees of the session can expect to learn:

• The value of graph databases to unite content (ranging from structured to unstructured) and surface key connections;
• Specific approaches and methodologies for use case development, software selection, and Agile planning and integration; and
• Techniques to engage business users in highly complex design and build efforts.

Speakers: Amber B. Simpson & Chris Marino

Amber B. Simpson

Senior Manager, Learning & Development, Walmart

Amber Simpson has more than 28 years of experience in Learning & Development including Facilitation, Instructional Design, Learning Architecture, and Learning Technology. She and her team currently support the learning knowledge management efforts for Walmart US Learning, the biggest corporate learning organization in the US supporting all 1.6 million Walmart US associates. During Amber’s tenure, she has spearheaded the design and creation of a learning metadata management solution that creates a mapping standard against learning objectives and competencies, thus reducing redundancies, identifying learning gaps, and enabling search and recommended content. While Amber’s first love has been immersing herself in all learning initiatives, it wasn’t until she cross-pollinated the world of Learning and Knowledge Management that she discovered her true passion of capturing and leveraging content knowledge to establish a seamless experience for her learners.  Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Russ, and her fur babies Cash and Tucker. 

Chris Marino

Senior Consultant, Enterprise Knowledge

Chris Marino is a Senior Consultant with Enterprise Knowledge, LLC. His work as a seasoned solutions architect with a focus on enterprise search, content management, and Knowledge Graphs, and has spanned a vast array of industries such as financial, academic, publishing, and technical. He enjoys listening to clients, understanding their unique challenges, and delivering high-quality solutions tailored to meet their needs.