Custom Content Creation

At SDI, we love making custom content for our clients, and it’s always exciting to have the opportunity to learn about new subject matter. But what happens in the time between when a client contacts us, and we return developed content to them? Follow along and learn more about the secret recipe we use to create custom content. 

1. Meet the Client
   The first step is for an account manager to meet with the client and get an idea of what they need. For some clients they might know exactly what sort of problem they’re trying to fix or what training solution they need, but sometimes clients will need us to help identify specific areas of issue. Either way, the goal in this step is to learn as much as we can. 
2. Work with a Subject Matter Expert (SME)
   Typically, once we’ve engaged with a client an instructional designer will be paired with one of their SMEs, in order to learn as much as we can about the topic. We often do independent research as well and use this research in to frame the most important components of the subject. 
3. Agree on Objectives
   Once research is complete, a design document will be drafted by an instructional designer. This document works as a roadmap for the rest of the work and contains a brief outline of the content, identifying the most important learning objectives needed to meet the client’s goals. 
4. Write Content
   Once objectives have been agreed upon, it’s time for the instructional designer to write content. That could mean drafting a storyboard for an eLearning, writing a script for an animated short, or creating content for whatever other learning method the client and account manager have agreed upon. The writer will divide content, write to the intended audience, and will often address specific learning goals through an assessment in to make sure learners engaging with the content can prove their understanding. 
5. Build the Design
   Once the writing is complete and approved by the client, the work moves along to a designer. The designer will work to build the content in a design style approved by the client. This could mean photographs, illustrations, animations, live shorts, and interactions, all designed to enhance the learning and engage with even the most reluctant learner. 
6. Review with the Client
   Now that the design is complete, the client will have another chance to review the work. This is where further design changes can be made and where the content is refined. This can take several passes between the designer and client in order to make sure the finished product meets their needs and aesthetic. 
7. Introduce the Materials  
   Now that design is complete, it’s time to roll out the training materials and introduce it to a beta audience. Here, minor refinements will continue to be made based on feedback from the client and their team.  
8. Track the Results
   Once refinements are complete, the materials can be given to it’s intended audience. This is the stage where the client can see how effective the training material is and gives them insight into other areas of their business that could benefit from updated training too. 

So that’s the path we take to develop custom content, but if you’d like to know more about this exciting process and how it could benefit your organization, Contact SDI. We’d love to start a conversation about how we can solve your organization’s needs, and help you move forward with clarity.