20 Questions To Ask Before Paying For An Online Course

Online Course Outsourcing: 20 Questions To Ask Before Paying For An Online Course
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Summary: Sometimes it makes sense to outsource the development of an online course. But before you throw your money out the door, you should answer these 20 questions.

What To Ask Before Paying For An Online Course 

Despite the proliferation of so-called rapid authoring tools these days, sometimes it makes sense to outsource the development of an online course. Perhaps you want the course to do something that is more sophisticated than your skill set can handle, or perhaps you simply don’t have the time to manage it all yourself.

But before you throw your money out the door, it is important that you consider a range of questions beyond the typical ones around how much it will cost and how long will it take. Here are 20 questions that I suggest you answer up front:

  1. Must it be an online course?
    Consider alternative modes of delivery such as a user guide, an infographic, PowerPoint, your corporate intranet, a video clip, or a webinar. They’ll probably be cheaper and may be just as effective.
  2. Does the course already exist?
    Another part of your organization might have already created it, or it may be available to buy “off the shelf” from an external vendor.
  3. Will you outsource or insource?
    You could pay an external developer to create the course for you; alternatively you could employ a contractor to come in and do it.
  4. Which operating systems will the course be compatible with?
    Your organization’s standard operating environment might be Windows, but your colleagues are probably also using iOS and Android.
  5. Which devices will the course be compatible with?
    Consider desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones. How about wearables?
  6. Which browsers will the course be compatible with?
    Your organization’s standard browser might be Internet Explorer, but your colleagues are probably also using Safari and Chrome. Your version of IE might be ancient, too.
  7. Will the course automatically re-size to fill the browser window?
    Or will it be a fixed width and height? If it's the latter, is it compatible with the various screen resolutions of your target audience?
  8. Will the end product be HTML5?
    Or Flash? Or something else? Don't forget that Apple devices are not Flash compatible.
  9. Are you including audio/video components?
    What are their file formats? Are they compatible with your operating environment?
  10. How big will the course be?
    Large courses can run into problems such as not resuming to the right spot.
  11. Will the course be compatible with your Learning Management System?
    Is the developer familiar with your specific Learning Management System (LMS)? Is it SCORM 1.2 compliant? Is it Tin Can compliant?
  12. Are you purchasing a standalone package (which can be uploaded into your Learning Management System) on a perpetual license for unlimited users for a one-off fee?
    Or will you be paying per person? If it's the latter, how will this be managed?
  13. Who will upload the course into the Learning Management System? 
  14. Who will test the course works? 
  15. Who will provide support if it doesn't work?
    Will that cost extra?
  16. What authorware will be used to develop the course?
    Do you have a copy in-house? Which version? Who knows how to use it?
  17. Will you be provided with the source files?
    If not, you will remain dependent on the developer to continually update the course.
  18. Who will maintain the content?
    If the course is born out of a project, who will take care of it long after the project manager has moved on?
  19. Will the course be brand compliant?
    Not just the logo and the color scheme. Your organization might frown upon cartoons, for example.
  20. Will the course be accessible?
    Check the regulations and guidelines that are applicable to your context.

No doubt there are many more questions that you could and should ask.

These 20 will go a long way to ensure that you avoid a rude shock!

Originally published on September 24, 2015