Use the SharePoint Training and development team site template

First, follow instructions on how to add a site template to a new or existing SharePoint site.

Explore pre-populated site content, web parts, and pages and decide what site customizations will be necessary to align with your organization's brand, voice, and overall business objective. 

Pre-populated site pages:

• Home page - Provides and landing place for viewers to engage in development team and resources.

• Conversations - Connects to a shared team alias and team calendar in Outlook. Connect this site to a Microsoft 365 group to add real time chat in Microsoft Teams.

• Notebook -  Connects to a shared OneNote.

• Pages - Stores site pages and page template content.

• Recycle bin - Provides access to recently discarded team content.

Once you've added the Training and development team site template, it's time to customize it and make it your own. 

Showcase important resources -  Use the Hero web part to highlight learning objectives and organizational resources. Display upcoming events and deadlines - Use the Events web part to display important dates.  Highlight links to frequently used resources -  Use the Quick links web part to provide access to frequently used resources.  Provide easy access to documents -  Use the Document library web part to provide quick access to departmental resources and documents.  Build anticipation by creating a countdown - Use the Countdown timer web part to let team members how much time if left before a big event. Publish team news and announcements - Use the News web part to display relevant updates to team members.

Customize your site's look, site navigation, web parts, and content to fit the needs of your viewers and of the organization. When making customizations, ensure the site is in edit mode by selecting Edit in the top right of the site. As you work, Save as a draft, or Republish changes to make edits visible to viewers.

1.   Use the Hero web part to highlight learning objectives and organizational resources

1. Begin by selecting the Hero web part and choose Edit  .

2. Then, choose the Layer and Tile options that best suit the organization’s needs.

Learn more about editing the Hero web part.

2.   Use the Events web part to display important dates

1. Begin by selecting the Events web part and choose Edit .

2. Begin by selecting the Source from which your events will come from, the events list and events category.

3. Then, select the Date range that should be displayed on the site.

4. Next, select the Layout for the Display of the events on the site. 

5. Select the Maximum number of items that should be listed in this web part.

Learn more about editing the Events web part.

3.  Use the Quick links web part to provide access to frequently used resources

1. Begin by selecting the Quick links web part and choose Edit .

2. Then, select the Layout option that best suits the organization’s needs.

Learn more about editing the Quick links web part.

4.  Use the Document library web part to provide access to documents

1. To change the view, or folder source for the Document library web part, select the Edit .

2. To edit document library folders, labels, content, navigate to library in Site content, make your edits, and then you see content update in the web part.

Learn more about editing the Document library web part.

5.  Use the Countdown timer web part to highlight and upcoming event

1. Begin by selecting the Countdown timer web part and choose Edit .

2. Add the Date and Time of the event.

3. Select the Format the timer should display as.

4. Add a Call to action by changing the overlaying text and adding a link.

5. Customize the web part background image by selecting Change, choosing an image source, and selecting Insert.

Learn more about using the Countdown timer web part.

6.  Use the News web part to display relevant updates to team members

1. Begin by selecting the News web part and choose Edit  .

2. Then, select the news Source that contains the information you would like to display.

3. Select the Layout, Viewing options, and Filter that best displays the members of the organization’s team.

4. In the Organize section, determine the order in which the news should be displayed.

Learn more about using the News web part.

Customize the look and site navigation

Before you share your site with others, put the finishing touches on your site by ensuring users can find the site, navigate through links and pages easily, and quickly access content on the site.

• Edit document libraries by updating the folder names and uploading resources.

• Edit and customize site navigation.

• Chang the look of your site by customizing the theme, logo, header layouts, and the look of your site.

• Add or remove pages to this site or the site navigation to accommodate existing content.

• Choose to associate this site with a hub site within your organization, or add this site to an existing hub site navigation if needed.

Share your site with others after you've customized your site, reviewed it, and published the final draft. 

1. Select Settings and then Site Permissions.

2. Then select Invite people and then select Add members to group and then Add to grant full access to team site content, shared resources like the team Outlook calendar and editing rights to the site.

3. Then select Invite people and then Share site only and then Save to share the site but not shared resources or site editing rights.

Learn more about managing team site settings, site information and permissions.

After you create and launch your site, the next important phase is maintaining site content. Ensure you have a plan to keep content and web parts up to date. 

Site maintenance best practices:

• Plan for site maintenance - Establish a schedule to review the site content as often as needed to ensure content is still accurate and relevant.

• Regularly post news - Distribute the latest announcements, information, and status across the organization.  Learn how to add a News post on a team site or communication site, and show others who will be posting announcements how they can use SharePoint news.

• Check links and web parts - Keep links and web parts updated to ensure you are leveraging the full value of your site.

• Use analytics to improve engagement - View site usage by using the built-in usage data report to get information on popular content, site visits, and more.

• Periodically review your site settings - Once you've created a site in SharePoint, you can make changes to the settings, site information, and permissions for the site.