Some designers seem to have it easy, right? Consider the task of a tool designer creating, for example, a new blood pressure cuff. We'd say: “Now there’s a specialized tool for a specific audience of users.”
In contrast, our task as instructional designers is much more complex. Crafting a learning experience about using that new cuff is intricate. We must juggle the needs of a complex ecosystem of stakeholders. We must consider learners, teachers, managers, and administrators. And we don't have expertise in using blood pressure cuffs!
Our job is challenging. So here are 4 tips for saving time and hassle:
1. Think big picture
How many times have you stumbled through a project with vague guidelines, only later to discover what your client really wanted? Big picture thinking is critical for effective eLearning project coordination.
Never make assumptions. Always ask questions about everyone involved in the learning process. Don't only consider the learners, but also the manager or instructor in charge. Think about who needs this learning content and how they’ll access it.
- Will your content scale when the course grows from 50 students to 500?
- What are the larger communities your learners are trying to enter?
- Do you need to worry about accreditation or governing boards?
Even the slickest individual pieces of content can fail. You could land back at square one if you don’t go into your project with an accurate overview of the big picture.
2. Put empathy first
All designers encounter a similar frustration. They express it in words like this: “I can’t read your mind!” You need to anticipate the human factor.
It could be the client, a learner, or the person assigned to oversee your eLearning content. The human factor introduces the potential for surprising twists in an eLearning project. That’s why empathetic communication is vital for an instructional designer.
Listen first; talk second. Be prepared to explain your aesthetics, philosophies, and any complicated technology. Do it in a way that goes beyond buzzwords. Do it with empathy.
Learning is about people. If you want effective eLearning projects, you do have to do some mind reading. You do have to deal with worries, fears, and pride.
3. Collaborate
ELearning is complex, with many "moving pieces" and plenty of back-and-forth and constant revision. To prevent headaches later establish an effective, collaborative workflow early in the process.
Make mutual comfort and trust your goal. Don’t force your client to bend to your favorite way of doing things. (“I will only look at your revisions if you use my specialized revision form.”) But don’t forget that you’re the eLearning expert, and you know what works.
Ensure that all the stakeholders understand how the collaboration should happen. Check that nobody is outside their comfort zone. Then you will have less surprises.
4. Plan and manage your resources to save time
Early in a project, draft clear lists of what you need and who your providers are. If something will be critical later in the project, try to get it as early as possible. You don’t want your supplier to be enjoying a remote Arctic getaway when you need that item!
Managing resources also means being smart about where the content you generate will go. For example, can the LMS accommodate the scores coming from the module you’ve designed? Be on-guard early, so you’re not caught off-guard later.
In closing, there’s a reason we choose to design learning experiences—not blood pressure cuffs. Learning is a rich and universal experience. Many of us love witnessing the thrill of the “click” within the enlightened learner. It’s why we enjoy this vocation. With effective project coordination, we can reduce logistical hassles. We can focus on what we love: building beautiful and effective learning experiences.
Master Effective Project Management
Better project management can save you time for storyboarding and planning. Learn more about how simulation can help with your time management and explore a better way to coordinate your training material.
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