Is e-learning for me?
Are you currently deciding if e-learning development is what your organization needs? Is the organization thinking of designing or procuring custom-built e-learning? In either case, deciding to undertake a custom e-learning development project can seem daunting. However, if you understand the foundation from which e-learning is designed, you’ll be on your way to planning a successful project.
This article outlines considerations that need to be made when beginning a custom
e-learning project. It will be helpful if the project is developed internally, or if contracted with a vendor.
There are several factors that define success of a custom e-learning project:
1) Clear definition of project goals and scope.
2) Staying within budget.
3) Timely project completion to meet a defined delivery date.
4) Suitable and sufficient resources.
5) An IT infrastructure that supports e-learning.
6) Positive learner response to the learning program.
7) A defined evaluation process after program delivery.
Additionally, it is helpful to have the following variables firmly in place in order to “set the stage” correctly to allow for success:
8) Early support and belief in the project from senior management.
9) Support and commitment from stakeholders.
You may have other success factors that are specific to your organization. After you’ve identified what constitutes success for you, then you need to begin to get the support and “buy-in” from all required players.
Phases of e-learning Development
There are five major phases in e-learning development. Listed below is each of the phases including their sub tasks:
1. Planning
a. Project requirements identification and collection
b. Project schedule and milestones
c. High-level content design
i. Subject matter review and stakeholder approval
d. Script development
i. Subject matter review and stakeholder approval
e. Begin assessment process of technical infrastructure and program needs
2. Design
a. Storyboard development
i. Graphic and animation design
ii. Subject matter review and stakeholder approval
3. Development
a. Course development in the authoring environment
i. QA and testing
4. Delivery and deployment
5. Evaluation
In order to create a realistic development schedule for an e-learning project, you should work backwards from the desired completion date. A determination of when the training program must be “live” establishes the length of the development process, ensuring all of the above steps are addressed.
Once the completion date is determined, the next most important step is the planning stage. First in the planning process, is identifying who needs to be included in the project and in what role. Next, is identification of project goals, and requirements identification and documentation. These steps, and the assurance all areas of the organization are included in this early phase, will determine how well the project progresses, and its ultimate success.
The Project Kick-off
To begin a project, a kick-off meeting is held which is the official start of a project. At this meeting, the project schedule is reviewed, stakeholders are brought onboard, and up-to-speed on the project. Also, any known risk factors are addressed, and project requirements are reviewed and approved.
Following the kick-off meeting, the creation of the high-level design begins, followed by the identified QA, review and approval processes. At this point, the project is well on its way. It is important to have an experienced custom e-learning project manager leading the development process, to oversee the project’s components and players.
Summary
Creating custom elearning courses is an iterative process. On the development side, it requires many different skill sets to complete each of the tasks, and on the review and implementation side, there are many players who must approve and signoff various milestone points of the project.
In an effort to keep the project moving forward, it is beneficial to have an awareness and understanding of some common challenges during e-learning development. These include:
1. Project scope creep.
2. Inaccessible subject matter experts.
3. Missed review deadlines by senior management.
4. Additional reviews by previously unidentified stakeholders (i.e., communication, legal).
5. Technical infrastructure.
Author Resource:-
With 20 years experience as a business and learning needs analyst, Ruth offers a strategic business approach to learning. Ruth’s knowledge of adult learning methodologies, and strong analytical skills, ensures she quickly understands the “big picture” of how business goals align to learning.
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