One Way Designing Training Works
by Susan Otto
 How do you design training? That’s a question I’m asked regularly. Here is an example of how I’ve worked with a client to design, or should I say redesign, a training program.
My client had some “old” material that they wanted to use as a basis for the training they desired. Unfortunately, the executive, who wanted the training, could only provide the manager (in charge of the project) with a “big picture” view. This left us the “opportunity” to figure out the detail ourselves.
After a brief meeting with both the executive and manager, I left with an armload of binders and a promise of Word files being sent through email that contained the information I now carried away. Since the binders given to me were mine to use, I meticulously read through every page, making notes about everything that caught my attention and came to mind.
So, what caught my attention and comes to mind as I read my client’s documents? I corrected all spelling. I noted confusing sentence structure. I identified areas that were unclear and needed more information. I jotted down activities and games that came to mind that enhanced the material that needed to be covered. I identified “answers” to questions so that I could verify my understanding. I ensured that word usage and ideas ran parallel so that the information was not confusing. In other words, I ensured that consistent ideas were not conveyed through the use of multiple terms and definitions that could confuse the participants. And, I looked to see if the ideas flowed and made sense in the order that they were placed.
I began to come up with questions for my client as I moved all the content into my “usual” format. (See my Business Ethics module sample for a glimpse at the “usual” format.) By placing the content into this format, I began to discover what we had and what was missing. I began to “fill-in-the-blanks.” Any ideas that stood out, or questions that needed to be addressed, were noted in the first column of the two column format in a font and style that would stand out for my client.
I did my best to “create” Facilitator and Participant Guides, as well as adjunct materials that were complete. I called my client with questions to complete the content and asked for additional documents that were not sent in the previous email. I received the answers to my questions and the additional documents immediately. Based on the information I received, I was able to provide my client with a good first draft.
Quick turn-around times allowed us to take the initial steps in designing an excellent product to meet my client’s needs.
Susan Otto, the president of Training-Modules.com, LLC, is committed to effectively partner with organizations and their employees to achieve strategic initiatives necessary for organizational success. Susan designs customized facilitator and participant guides for companies that want to do their own internal training. Contact her at 859.292.0095 or email her. For information about Susan’s training modules, visit the Modules section of Training-Modules.com.
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