When developing custom eLearning content, there are many things to consider. Each customer will hopefully provide their standards and goals for the course. The content that the customer outlines will probably only cover about 70% of their actual content needs. And the only constant in custom content development is change. So, be prepared to be flexible. How do you account for that? At CyberTrain, we have developed a process where we help our clients analyze their goals in developing custom eLearning content for a successful training project that includes flexibility while remaining within the project guidelines.
1. Determine Τhe End Game
When a client comes to you and says "I need you to develop custom content for a course", you need to help the client determine their ultimate goal for creating this custom content. If it’s a totally new course, you will follow your standard courseware development process. But if it is providing additional custom content that ties information specific to this client to a larger, more generic course, then you need to review the “generic” course, as well as the goals to achieve in the custom content to be created. Often, I have clients that think they need a totally new course. But, after spending a little time with them we find that they could actually just use some "standard" or "out-of-the-box" courseware with some insertions of custom content to further explain how to specifically do things according to their processes, needs, etc. It might be as simple as inserting a video that starts out something like this: "Here, at ABC company, we follow this process for doing XYZ task". That approach has saved a lot of time and money for our clients and they appreciate it.
2. Identify The Pain Points
Work with your customer and find out what their real pain points are for the topic. This may help you uncover information that is related to the true goal of adding this custom content that the client might not have articulated to you yet. Typically, when you are adding custom content, there is something that the client is trying to achieve, improve or fix. Depending on what it is, you might need to focus on creating content that teaches a new skill versus enhancing and building on existing skills, or overcoming bad habits and instilling new, good habits. Each has a different approach to developing the custom content.
3. Verify, Verify, Verify
With custom content development, you are creating something new. There is a lot of room for misunderstanding or veering off in the wrong direction. So, when creating custom content, always check in with the client at regular intervals and go over what you have so far. And get agreement to the review in writing. It’s easier to change course earlier in the development cycle, so that’s where you want to catch any changes in direction. It may sound silly, but you’d be surprised how often I’ve come in to "fix" something that another company started and they never formally reviewed or even checked in with the client until near the end of development.
4. Additional Tips On Custom Content For Training On New Systems
- Participate in system design meetings. Only you can prevent someone saying "this is no big deal to add to the training", when it is actually a problem.
- Flexibility on your part is key to custom content development, because things will change.
- Ensure that you have good archives of the custom content. It may be necessary for you to return to an older version if the customer changes their mind or a planned customization doesn't work out.
- Make an effort to have a GREAT relationship with the developers. Communicate often so that you can get information quickly and hear about changes that might impact your work.
- Require documentation. If they have to go through the process of documenting changes, they’ll be more inclined to think carefully about these changes.
- Keep a good sense of humor. Custom training development can be stressful on both the customer and you! Remember it also gives you an opportunity to be creative, so enjoy!