A great deal of effort and expense goes into the technical development of an operator training simulator (OTS) without a commensurate effort in planning for its implementation as a training tool. Because of this, OTS benefits are not fully realized, and, after limited initial use (often for a new plant startup), an OTS falls into disuse. A proven systematic five-step approach for implementing OTS over the long term is described in detail, along with testimonials from OTS users. The five steps include: identification, normal operations, startup and shutdown, troubleshooting, and optimization. The use of OTS to develop applied skills such as cooperation, communication and supervision is also covered.