An important ability of learning designers is to identify what a person needs to know to do something and where they need help to do it effectively.

Identifying where someone needs help is accomplished by conducting an analysis of their current understanding compared to what is required to be successful. The gaps between the person’s understanding and what’s required of them, if any, are areas of focus for their educational needs.

Your understanding of key roles on a project is critical.

• Subject matter experts (SMEs) – your source for topic information. They know the material inside and out.
• Stakeholders – everyone who has a real interest in the outcomes of the project, but more specifically, those you should consult on project- or program-level decisions. Think of them as the purse holders.
• Team Members – folks you’ll work with to create the learning components and deliver the program; copywriters, videographers, media and graphic artists, editors and quality assurance folks, etc.

You’ll be collaborating with someone on a daily basis to ensure content accuracy and alignment with learning objectives.

You’ll be doing a mix of these three buckets on any given day, but each has its own distinct activities:

• Design – you’ll be using various techniques to create the structure and approach of the program.
• Development – of the learning components. You may design a program for one project, or learning objectives for another, or a larger project has you writing a script and recording audio, or even working with trainers to create assessments, etc.
• Deployment – this could be a handoff to another team, posting files to a learning management system (LMS), or something more involved like administering training to a group of students.

80% of your focus will fall within these buckets.

Once a learning program is live – and one of the most rewarding aspects of instructional design – you’ll want to measure how it impacts students.

You’ll use various techniques and tools to help capture results, but hearing directly from students provides insights you cannot get from a survey or management platform. First-hand reaction can be a valuable way to learn how people engage with the program, what gains they take with them, and how you might improve the program for future students.

Although many popular approaches have been around for decades, the industry is always advancing. Tools, techniques, and ways to help people reach their learning goals are evolving quickly. It’s important to stay informed.

Keeping pace with industry trends can be a challenge. Webinars, articles, podcasts, and talking with colleagues and experts are ways to improve your skills, create engaging solutions, and excel at your position.

Professional groups such as Association for Talent Development and Training Industry, Inc. are great ways to connect with learning industry professionals and learn about innovative approaches they’re applying.