Our Process
We’ve found that every learning project has a "shape," with a starting point and a finish line. We’ve drawn it on the right.There are a lot of possible starting points – because each project is unique. At the beginning of the project, there’s more room for flexibility. We call this the “Fuzzy Funnel,” and this is where the bulk of the instructional design action happens. There’s also a part of the project that is extremely efficient and predictable: our “Practical Pipe.”
Here’s a quick look at the process we’ve built for moving a project through these two stages of the project.
The action gets started
We start with our proprietary Learning Project Ignition session. Get ready for an interactive session in which we’ll cover a lot of ground. Stakeholders and subject matter experts will agree on the project’s purpose, impact, benefits, scope, and measurable outcomes.
Then, for each piece in the curriculum, we define scope, learner profiles, behavior objectives, course topics, and source material. We work with you to determine whether we should build a self-paced elearning course or if the situation lends itself more to a blended-learning approach. We also assess the readiness of the course material -- is it all buttoned up or do we need to do some instructional design work?
All these elements of the Learning Project Ignition session are designed to give us the information we need to place a course on the funnel part of our project. At this point, we can build a rough project schedule and estimate.
The fuzzy what?!?!
Next, we’ll work with each subject matter expert to build the course that achieves those objectives. The Fuzzy Funnel has a direction and a purpose, but it’s not necessarily a straight line. There’s time built in along the way to explore different ideas, check in with other subject matter experts, and make sure we’ve covered all the bases. Some projects have a relatively short trip through the funnel, some have a longer journey. The Learning Project Ignition session usually gives us an indication of which project is which. Our instructional designers work hand-in-hand with the subject matter experts in this phase.
On the other side of the Funnel is a key gateway. We build a 2D prototype of the finished course as we move into the Practical Pipe. This is the predictable phase of the project. In fact, we've borrowed a lot from software development processes to make this as efficient and productive as possible. In the Practical Pipe, we work on the graphics, script, voiceover, assessments and interactions that make the content really sing. We also test out a prototype with your technology team early on in the process to ensure a smooth implementation.
Some tough scrutiny
On our side, each course is seen by at least three reviewers before it gets out the door. We’ll ask you to put lots of eyes on it, too: project sponsors, stakeholders, subject matter experts, and, ideally, a target learner or two. That’s as many as seven sets of eyeballs, for at least two iterations through the development process.
The result? Learning that’s on time, in budget, and on target. Something you can be proud of. You might even get a “Gee, thanks!” from your learners.
Sustainability isn’t just good for the planet.
It’s good for your learning, too. During the Learing Project Ignition, we define a sustainability strategy for each course. How often does the material change? When will we need a refresh? What events could trigger a refresh sooner than scheduled? What pieces should be made easier to change? We can set up a regular maintenance schedule to keep things in tip top shape.
