A new content development model helps you achieve better results in less time

Training departments are challenged to increase the volume and quality of e-learning content and, at the same time, keep costs down. It takes
time to build courses and it is hard to get subject matter experts, training teams and external content providers to work together. We want to suggest a new model for content development that enables training teams to work more effectively with outsourcing partners. We want to discuss the benefits of shared content development tools and shows how selecting the right content development tool can speed up development times and increase content quality.

Stepping up to the challenge

Training departments are often challenged with increasing the volume and quality of their e-learning content. They need to continually create, update and evaluate content to meet everchanging business needs and learning objectives. At the same time, however, there are a host of other tasks that compete for their time and resources.
The solution is usually to create content on a project-by-project basis. Training departments evaluate a host of factors including existing workloads, priorities, and budgets, and then decide whether in-house development or outsourcing makes the most sense. The problem is that being forced to decide on one alternative or the other does not give much flexibility.
Why be forced to choose? Why not make it easier to simultaneously capitalise on the strengths of both in-house resources and external providers?
The main reason companies are forced to choose is that in-house teams often use different content development tools than external developers. Training departments choose easy-to-use tools that are fast, effective and don’t require programming.
Professional service providers, on the other hand, choose tools that allow them to capitalise on their specialised skills, programming abilities and creative ideas.
This makes it difficult for internal and external teams to collaborate. Files have to be sent back and forth, approval procedures are cumbersome and time is wasted documenting communications, discussing alternatives and controlling results.

A new model for collaborative content development

Collaborating on the same project using the same tools is more effective. Not only is it easier to mix “do-it-yourself” projects with external support on a project-by-project basis, but it’s also possible to work in any way during a project. The disadvantages associated with either in-house development or outsourcing are eliminated, and training departments can reap the benefits of working both ways whenever it suits their needs.

This new model has 3 key characteristics: All content developers use the same content development tool. The content development tool is hosted on a web-based server to allow online collaboration (Software as a Service delivery model). External service providers become outsourcing partners who are committed to a flexible way of working that supports evolving customer needs.

This new model enables training teams to better meet demands for producing high quality content in less time. In addition, using the
same content development tool increases flexibility and makes it easier to mix “do-it-yourself” with external support during a project.

Benefits of using the same content development tool:

Implications
Training departments need to select their content development tools very carefully in order to capitalise on the benefits of
collaborative content development.
Required features:
• easy to use – no need for programming
• ideal for beginners with the flexibility for advanced developers
• web-based, hosted solution (delivered as Software as a Service (SaaS)
• support for creating high level interactions
• support for remote authoring and virtual team collaboration
• role-based user rights
• database-supported system for testing, quality assurance and documentation
• central database for storing files and media elements
The outsourcing partner must be highly client-centric. They must respond and adapt quickly to match the way clients work. The
range of skills they need to support collaborative content development should include knowledge of e-learning systems, a high
degree of competence in using the development tool and the full range of skills for creating customised content.

Summary
Training departments should ask three questions when selecting content development tools and outsourcing partners:

1. What content development tools are easy to use and support collaborative content development between multiple authors at remote sites?
2. Which tools can we use internally and share with our outsourcing partners?
3. Can tools and a full range of content development services be provided by the same partner?