Cases in custom content development - 1

I have been developing a set of cases to use at a workshop I am running next Thursday in Munich. They are designed to bring out a wide range of issues related to the development of custom e-learning content. I want participants to be aware of the sorts of problems that all too frequently occur, but also the difficulties with coming up with a process that suits all stakeholders and all requirements. I thought I would share these cases with you over the next four working days and then later provide you with some feedback on what participants thought were workable solutions, as well as my own comments. So here goes ...

Case 1

You have been the manager of a project to develop a new equal opportunities e-learning programme for use by all employees in your organisation.

You have just conducted a project review with your team and the following issues were raised:

• There were major delays to the project because the subject expert (SME) took a very long time to approve designs and scripts. The SME claimed that he had no idea he would be required to put in so much effort.
• Midway through the project, a high profile discrimination complaint brought by an employee meant that modifications had to be made to the content. Development had already commenced and some re-work had to be undertaken.
• Feedback from early users was negative. Many found the materials were over-long and text-heavy, with insufficient and unchallenging interaction. Few felt that the programme would make any real difference to behaviour.
• Your graphic designer claimed that she would have been able to make the materials much more engaging but was simply asked to implement what was in the script. Your developer made a similar point, claiming that there were many opportunities to include more appropriate interactivity but that the person writing the script was not aware of what was possible.

If possible, you want to avoid similar problems occurring in the future. What would you recommend?