My Content Development Process

STEP 1

DETERMINE YOUR NEEDS

I'm all about creating fit-for-purpose courses by considering your company's needs and resources when we meet. Training can take many shapes and sizes, so it's crucial to establish the core need to ensure that training isn't under or over-delivered. One of my biggest pet peeves is when a small policy or procedure update is touted as a full course overhaul, costing valuable time and money.

Therefore, as Steven Covey said, "Start with the end in mind," and that has been my philosophy for any project I undertake. Whether you have classroom content you wish to convert to an online medium or there is only a concept or problem to solve, this will guide the content plan and proposal to ensure we are on the same page and all questions can be clarified at this stage.

Once we have agreed on the course of action, I can work on your content plan and proposal. This document will outline the shape of the intervention, which learning outcomes will be achieved, and provide a brief idea of how this can be accomplished. The plan will also state how many assets will be produced, depending on the type of course and whether it will require documents to be created or videos to be designed.

By the end of this step, we will have a clear understanding of your needs and a concrete plan in place, ready to move forward to the next step: designing your course.

STEP 2

DRAFT & REVIEW A STORYBOARD

In the storyboard phase, I focus on establishing the look and feel of your course, aligning the branding and style with your company’s identity. I begin by creating sample materials for your approval, ensuring that there is a cohesive and consistent visual theme throughout the course.

I prefer to combine written and visual elements to bring the course to life from the outset. The storyboard serves as a blueprint, detailing the flow of the course, the structure of each module, and the placement of multimedia and interactive components. This allows us to visualize the course in its entirety and make necessary adjustments before full-scale development begins.

Once I’ve drafted the initial storyboard, I will share it with you for review. This collaborative process is crucial, as your feedback will help refine the course content and design to meet your expectations. We will discuss any changes or enhancements needed, ensuring that every aspect of the course aligns with your learning objectives and company standards.

After incorporating your feedback and receiving final approval, we are ready to move forward with the development phase. By this point, we will have a detailed, well-structured storyboard that serves as a solid foundation for building your course, setting us up for a smooth and efficient development process.

STEP 3

DEVELOP THE COURSE

Now that you've approved the storyboard, I move on to the development phase, where the course truly begins to take shape. This is the phase where all our planning and design work culminate in a tangible, interactive learning experience.

Using the storyboard as my guide, I start by creating the digital assets needed for the course. This includes, developing multimedia elements like videos and animations, and incorporating interactive components such as quizzes and simulations. I meticulously craft each asset to ensure it aligns with the learning objectives and engages the learners effectively.

My development process is iterative, meaning I build, test, and refine each module or component before moving on to the next. This approach helps in identifying and addressing any issues early on, ensuring a smoother final product. I also pay close attention to the user experience, making sure that navigation is intuitive and the course is accessible to all learners.

Throughout this phase, I maintain close communication with you, providing regular updates and seeking your feedback to ensure the course meets your expectations. By the end of this step, I will have a fully developed course ready for a comprehensive review and final edits.

STEP 4

REVIEW & EDIT THE COURSE

With the course developed, the next critical phase is the review and editing process. This step ensures that the course content is accurate, clear, and aligned with the learning objectives. It is also an opportunity to fine-tune the design and functionality to enhance the overall learning experience.

I begin by conducting a thorough internal review, examining every aspect of the course from the accuracy of the content to the quality of multimedia elements and the effectiveness of interactive components. I note and address any issues or inconsistencies promptly.

Next, I invite stakeholders to review the course. Their feedback is invaluable in identifying areas that may need further refinement or adjustment. I prioritize this feedback and make the necessary edits to ensure the course is polished and effective.

During this phase, I also conduct usability testing to ensure that the course is user-friendly and accessible. This includes testing the course on different devices and platforms to ensure compatibility and a seamless learning experience for all users.

Once all revisions are made and the course meets my high standards, I prepare for the final launch. This involves setting up any necessary tracking and reporting tools to monitor learner progress and engagement. By the end of this step, your course is not only ready for deployment but is also optimized to deliver the best possible learning outcomes.