This document provides an overview of the e-learning course development process at SoftAssist, Inc. It discusses pre-course documents like the request for proposal and statement of work. It also covers developing content by defining goals, messages and audiences. The development process involves storyboarding, prototyping, beta testing, and final delivery. Managing expectations, timelines, and clear communication are important for success.

1. Guide to Designing and Developing an e-Learning Project
Dave Goodman
SoftAssist, Inc.

2. Information to be CoveredInformation to be Covered
This presentation was designed to inform you about:
Pre-Course Documents
The official documents representing the preliminary stages of a project and
the contract.
Getting Started
A review of our course development process.
Developing Your Content
A guide to defining your message, your audience and the goals for your
course. Additionally, how to best prepare your content to ensure
success.
Expectations and Timelines
Sharing expectations ensures the development of a successful course.
This section reviews what you can expect from course development at various
phases including the division of responsibilities, both client-side and
vendor-side.

3. Pre-Course DocumentsPre-Course Documents
In this section we’ll discuss the following preliminary
documents used to prepare our team and your team to
begin a new e-learning course:
Request for Proposal (RFP)
Statement of Work (SOW)
Contract Approval Process

4. Request for Proposal (RFP)Request for Proposal (RFP)
An RFP informs vendors, like SoftAssist, of your e-Learning needs.
The RFP should include:
Learning objectives of the potential course
A proposed project delivery date
Technical requirements, e.g. bandwidth, security, use of media, etc.
Measurement and success factors
Assessment expectations
Internal review and focus group process
In the preliminary phase of negotiations SoftAssist will respond to an
RFP with our Statement of Work (SOW).

5. Statement of Work (SOW)Statement of Work (SOW)
The Statement of Work will provide you with our views, our
instructional approach and some recommendations on the project.
Based on the information provided in the RFP, SoftAssist will map
out our approach to the solution for your consideration.
This detailed description can also include:
References available to the client
Answers to any specific questions from the RFP
Similar project or experiences in our portfolio
Samples of work
Instructional approaches to the project

6. Completed ContractCompleted Contract
Determine if a Confidentiality Agreement and W9 are required.
After negotiations have been completed on both sides, a contract
reflecting all parties decisions must be drafted and signed.
The agreed-upon terms are likely to include:
Invoicing schedule
Timetable for deliverables
Review cycle stipulations
Scope review
After this step is complete, the kick-off meetings can begin.

7. Getting StartedGetting Started
In this section we’ll review the following topics needed
to understand your e-Learning project:
Course level breakdown, e.g., low, medium or high level
of interactions, use of media, performance testing, etc.
Our Course Development Process
Instructional Design Approaches
Client Requirements
Review and Success Criteria

8. Project OverviewProject Overview
These are the steps in SoftAssist’s design process:

9. Developing your contentDeveloping your content
In this section we’ll discuss how content may be
developed including:
Defining your message.
Defining your audience.
Defining your goals and metrics for success.
Readiness of Existing Content
Reusing content or creating new content
Shared Lessons Learned

10. What is your message?What is your message?
Before starting the development of the course, the content needs to be
finalized as much as possible. Below are some pointers on how content is
written for maximum effectiveness.
It is important to have a good grasp of the concepts and information that is most
important for the learner.
Know why the training is being conducted. What behaviors or changes should be
anticipated as a result of the training content?
In some cases, SoftAssist is asked to convert instructor-led courses to web-
based-training (WBT). By collaborating with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) we
can ensure the context of the content is maintained.
Always be sure to communicate any expectations or ideas about the course to
your instructional design team. This way, issues can be addressed and
discussed according to scope and timeline in the beginning.

11. Who is your audience?Who is your audience?
In conjunction with preparing your course content efficiently, it is important
to understand the possible audiences who will participate in the training.
Every audience has different needs and expectations.
Knowing about the audience composition will significantly affect the
instructional designer’s job.
Knowing about the audience will also assist in designing the proper
assessments and related measurements.
The client will determine if the course is “open” (go through the course in
any manner) or prescriptive (the learner starts at Chapter 1 and proceeds).
Each audience will approach learning differently.

12. Defining your GoalsDefining your Goals
Consider the following questions:
What are your goals for this course?
What are your goals for your learners?
What are the learners’ goals?
What makes your course a success?
What will success look like six months later?
What are the corporate and stakeholders goals?
What might hinder reaching the goals?

13. Defining your GoalsDefining your Goals
Sometimes, a new learning project is needed to correct a business
issue, a process gone wrong or a behavior requiring correction.
Is your learning project providing information or is the intent to make
a change or improve performance?
Is this a local, national or global learning program?
What position does diversity, inclusion, language, generation and
education level play?

14. Defining your MetricsDefining your Metrics
Consider the following questions:
What are you measuring?
What are you seeking to improve, reduce or eliminate?
When will you know that the training was successful?
Do you have the data to support your efforts?
Communicate your success and do not be afraid if your success
was less than expected.
Immediately plan and execute your next phase.

15. Expectations and timelinesExpectations and timelines
In this section we’ll discuss the following:
Expectation Guide & Division of Responsibilities
Where are we in the timeline?
What does SoftAssist need from you at this time?
What do you expect from SoftAssist?
How do we both prevent or manage possible project
issues?
Where do we go from here?

16. Internal Kick-OffInternal Kick-Off
The internal kick-off meeting occurs after our client kick-off meeting.
This meeting allows our team to inform each other about the project
specifications and to begin the collaboration process in preparation of the
design phase.
What we need from you at this point:
Course Content (unless we are writing)
Technical Requirements
Specific media requests
General expectations for the course based on past conversations
Estimated time to complete: 1 day

17. Graphic User Interface (GUI)Graphic User Interface (GUI)
The design of your course’s Graphic User Interface (GUI) occurs at the fore-front of
course development.
The GUI sets the tone of the course design and is often used to showcase company
colors and branding information.
Based on preferences provided by you and your team and the level of your course,
our graphic designer will create at least two alternative designs.
GUIs include the course navigation and the bordering information of the course
display, the content layout area, assessment screens, etc.
The process of designing a GUI ends with a sign-off form which allows us to move
forward to the storyboarding phase of course development.
Estimated time to complete: 1 week
GUI Design

18. This is a GUIThis is a GUI

19. StoryboardStoryboard
Storyboarding is Soft Assist's way of designing your content into a course. This
process includes direct communication between your company’s Subject Matter
Expert (SME) and the lead instructional designer assigned to your project.
Through the placement of content, interactive elements, graphics, video, audio and
testing features, the instructional designer will manipulate the content until it is
ready to be developed into a course.
Before sending you the storyboards for review, SoftAssist will complete a quality
assurance/proofreading session to ensure that errors are at a minimum.
This step ends with a review and sign-off of the course storyboards.
This step will be completed with a weekly “rolling-review”.
Estimated time to complete: 3 weeks
GUI Design

20. One Version of a StoryboardOne Version of a Storyboard

21. Prototype DevelopmentPrototype Development
Below are some common Q&A’s associated with Prototype Development:
What can I expect in the prototype?
The prototype is meant to give you a taste of the course. It should set an
accurate tone for the remainder of the course so that, when we continue
with development, we are aware of how to direct the course accordingly.
Can I expect this version to be final?
The prototype is the initial deliverable. Revisions are expected and are built
into the project plan.
Your focus should be on the style, level of instructional design, correct
message and “navigation” – is the course easy to use.
GUI Design

22. Prototype Development (cont’d)Prototype Development (cont’d)
What does the timeline look like from here?
The prototype takes about 1 – 2 weeks to complete. After receiving feedback
and sign-off , we incorporate the changes and move into the development
phase. A “BETA” will be the next deliverable.
Any “out of scope” issues or significant changes from the Statement of Work
will be discussed.
How do we communicate with each other?
Client changes are captured in a document and tracked online. The client
has access to this process. Telephone calls, weekly online sessions or
onsite visits promote our communications.
Estimated time to complete Prototype: 3 weeks (including 1 week for client
review)

23. BETA DevelopmentBETA Development
Below are some common Q&A’s associated with BETA Development:
What can I expect in the BETA?
The BETA consists of the prototype development with your revisions and
the remainder of the course (revisions and communications along the way).
The BETA should accurately reflect your vision for the course according to
previous communications between you and your instructional design team.
Can I expect this version to be final?
A more thorough round of Quality Assurance checks have been completed
at this point in time. If any errors are found, they will be corrected. The final
course will be error free. The client has a 90 day warranty period.
GUI Design

24. BETA Development (cont’d)BETA Development (cont’d)
What does the timeline look like from here?
After receiving feedback and sign-off we will implement the changes while
comparing the requests to the initial scope of the project.
As we implement the changes and edits to the BETA we’ll also be finalizing
the course.
How do I deliver feedback to SoftAssist?
The feedback from your BETA review should mirror that of the prototype
review, e.g., written document, weekly review, online tracking, etc.
Feedback along the way should come from a single, client source.
Feedback should always be specified according to module number, page
number and issue. We will provide you with a template to make the reporting
easier.
Estimated time to complete BETA: 5 - 7 weeks (Including 1 week for review)

25. Final Course DeliveryFinal Course Delivery
Below are some common Q&A’s associated with Final Course Delivery:
How does the final delivery take place?
The final delivery of the course will occur after all quality assurance checks
have been completed and after all revisions have been incorporated from
the BETA review.
SCORM and learning management system (LMS) testing and course
loading will be provided. The course can be loaded onto your organization’s
LMS (if applicable) or delivered according to the agreed upon methods.
GUI Design

26. Final Course DeliveryFinal Course Delivery
Below are some common Q&A’s associated with Final Course Delivery:
Can I still contact SoftAssist with any questions after my course has been turned
over and completed?
Yes, of course! SoftAssist is here to help you with any questions or issues
you might have throughout the development of your course. We also
understand that additional questions might pop-up after the course has
been turned over.
Contact our lead Instructional Designer or Developer with your questions.
We do not exit a project until you are satisfied and have authorized the
project as complete.
GUI Design

27. Lessons LearnedLessons Learned
Through our experiences we’ve learned that projects are less
successful as a result of the following factors:
Goals/Objectives weren’t clearly defined at the onset of the project
Client time commitments and expectations may not be accurate
Poor planning, travel schedules, multiple reviewers create delays
Access to subject matter experts is limited
Lack of open communication
Lack of cooperation from other facets of a client’s organization
Design creep – permitting continual changes to occur
Extending the project beyond the schedule decreases engagement
Misunderstandings about “out of scope”
Making a change to the project lead during the project
Managing a project by a committee

28. ContactContact
Dave Goodman
SoftAssist, Inc.
1150 First Avenue
Suite 960
King of Prussia, Pa. 19406
610.265.8484 Ext. 14
dgood@softassist.com