In all things training the time tested apprentice method should not be overlooked or under-appreciated. I've found that what works best is beginner working with expert, (think watered down extreme programming -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extreme_programming) with both working together on the same projects and tasks -- expert guiding the work, parceling out sub-tasks, and reviewing everything that is done. As the novice comes up to speed there's less and less supervision. While this is an intensive approach, when done faithfully you should come close to cloning the best around while avoiding those bad habits that can develop with guesses that seem to work but don't account for all that is possible. To recap, don't put beginners in an environment by themselves, where they can, mind you this is the best of circumstances -- relearn all the hard lessons by themselves. Better, pair them up with your best preferably someone with a gentle hand, and watch what develops. On 9/24/07, GovindanK <gkatteri@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: > > How about putting beginners to Development db's to start with and then > move on to QC / UAT etc? That would give you some breathing time to arrive > at the criticality. > > Govindan > > -- Rumpi Gravenstein