After investing almost a decade in consulting, leading corporates across the globe, if I have to really share a few tips for a successful custom Design & Development of eLearning content, it will go like this:
1. "Custom" By Choice Not By Chance
a) One should really be convinced when going for a "custom" route and before you start with it, it is advisable to get educated about it properly. What I really mean is to be aware of all the factors that will impact quality, timelines, and course, costing.
b) The crux of the word "custom" is in its Design aspect. To be specific, it has more to do with "Instructional Design" than anything else.
2. Play Within Given Business Constraints
a) Even if you have opted for "custom" route it does not imply that one has to go really free hand, especially when it comes to time and cost.
b) Define these parameters in advance, and consider a variation of ±10%.
c) Convey these 2 values to your potential vendors and have at least 3 proposals, even if you have a preferred or registered partner. Ask "What best they can offer you within these constraints?", and then choose the one who is offering the highest instructional value to your investments.
3. Don’t Let Rapid Authoring Impact Your Development Negatively By Any Means
a) Don’t let the choice of rapid authoring tool drive the quality of your custom development assignment.
b) Vendors typically keep this at the centre of conversation and tend to load everything else on it. Cautiously, stop them right away and request to pick this up at last.
c) Never, ever, choose rapid authoring because it is saving your overall time of development or cost. Go with an authoring tool, only after ensuring they really fit into the design strategy. At max, you will save 20% on time or cost, whatever, with any rapid authoring tool. However, you may end up losing 80% on meeting the learning objectives, at times.
4. Patience And Process Is The Key
a) Bring out the best of your patience when it is getting designed. Have as many iterations as needed.
b) However, don’t even think of going back once you freeze the design. It will cost you the most.
c) Try to have a single reviewer, or else it will become an endless job. One cannot have a storyboard which is perfect and can satisfy all your stakeholders.
5. Choose A Partner, Not A Vendor
a) Custom development is a premium service which requires a real intention to do justice to the content. For example, from a 5 or 500-people's team, look for those who are going to work on your assignment.
b) Don’t choose a partner just based on their credentials, and only because they have done a similar work for some competitor. Are you looking to get a replica of what they have developed for someone else? Then why custom? And someone must have tried them first without having that credential and got an award winning project out of it. Think about it! For example, none or 10 awards/recognitions. Look if they are committed to developing a great experience for you.
There are many more things to talk about. However, due to limited space and time, let me stop here. Look forward to much more such social interactions and knowledge sharing opportunities.