Welcome to the next installment of our series on using ADDIE to build better compliance training. So far, we’ve discussed how to analyze your training needs, and best practices to apply when approaching the design process. Now we move onto the second D, development, and for this post, we focus on the development of online training (eLearning), though this process can be applied no matter the deliverables.

Once all the groundwork has been completed and you’re ready to start the development process, the five development phases detailed below will help avoid errors along the way and ensure your training meets the expectations you’ve established and the quality your learners deserve. You will notice there is overlap with elements of the design process, but to present development absent this context would be like building a house without referring to the blueprint.

Phase 1: Discovery

It begins with a discovery phase, when you set aside time with all the stakeholders, including management and any potential vendors, to finalize the instructional goals, learning objectives, content scope, and duration of the individual training program. In addition to communicating the overall concepts and designs, this is the time to ensure a comprehensive project plan, with a timeline detailing the completion of all deliverables, is established and approved by all involved in the project.

Phase 2: Outline Development

Before a complete storyboard with narration, on-screen text, and graphic elements is developed, we suggest you create a content outline to list the overarching topics, and, if possible, subtopics. This is the time for the instructional designer to dig into your content source documents and interview your subject matter experts. If you’re working with an outside vendor, look for one that brings a background in instructional design combined with a familiarity with life sciences compliance. Trust me, you don’t want a vendor over-relying on you for compliance expertise when you are busy 8+ hours a day with your day job.

Phase 3: Storyboard Development

The storyboard is a screen-by-screen guide for the programmer and graphic artist to follow when creating the course. Once the initial storyboard is completed, you should have the opportunity to make modifications in “tracked changes” and consult with the instructional designer to resolve any changes you request. Upon completion, you will be asked to “sign off” on the content and give approval to move forward. There should be no surprises or remaining questions for the development team once the storyboard is completed and approved. It should clearly delineate all content and creative requirements for the module, as well as the production notes necessary to guide the decisions made by the developer.

Phase 4: Alpha Course Build

Any reliable vendor or in-house developer should also offer you the opportunity to review an alpha version of the course, without audio added. Think of it as the “rough cut.” During this phase, you’ll ideally review the course, usually on a secure portal, and log comments for anything that looks incorrect or not up to the approach discussed and the specifications in the storyboard. Although there should be no surprises after the storyboard approval, seeing the course in its “close to” final form can sometimes reveal nuances you may have missed earlier. Don’t be afraid to ask for minor changes. It’s why the alpha stage exists.

Phase 5: Beta Course Build

You’re in the homestretch! During the beta build, your team (internal or vendor) will finalize any remaining changes from the alpha review and incorporate any remaining elements, including narration, into the course. You should still expect to review the beta course and request minor changes, but the changes should be rare at this stage. The development team will also conduct a final quality assurance (QA) check upon your final approval, and before the start of the implementation stage…which, by the way, will be the subject for our next post.

Conclusion

The development stage of eLearning development is wrought with the potential for pitfalls and mistakes. Beware the temptations of shortcuts in the schedule and the resources. There are no shortcuts to success and the path to less risk requires numerous checkpoints along the way. Better compliance training demands diligence and by using the process detailed above, you’ll be one step closer to launching training that reduces risk across your company. And who knows, it may even solidify your organizational reputation as a compliance training hero.

Soar on hero, soar on!

                                                                                                                        Sean Murphy
                                                                                                                        NXLevel Compliance