End to end instructional design for software product launch 

An engineering product that was new to the industry was launching as part of InEight’s software suite. For consistency of experience, several pieces of training content would normally get developed by the learning team for each product but due to a reduced time frame, producing the same amount of content wasn’t achievable.

So together with the SME, I decided on developing:

  • An overview video detailing specific features and their benefits

  • Virtual Instructor Led Training content including facilitator guides, presentation slides and practice activities

  • Quick guide job aids

The process was a big learning curve for myself as I had to learn enough about the niche product and industry background in order to make sure we were delivering content that catered to beginner users of the software to help them realise the value of the product and how they could apply it to their everyday processes.

So how could we create a great hands on experience to introduce learners to the new tool?

Process

Due to the highly technical nature of the product, I worked closely with the SME. The biggest selling point for this software was that it improved and supported a current business process for clients without any real competitors. So we really had to focus on how the features could help to improve their day to day processes. 

Overview Video
The SME developed the script due to the technical aspects, I then developed the Storyboard from that. As I broke out each section and tried to convey it in visuals, I tried to simply the script as well. The SME and I collaborated on this ensuring that the wording still conveyed key technical aspects.

Virtual Instructor Led Training
I worked as the lead on this with support and QA from my manager. I did a deep dive into the system, consulted with the SME and watched several recordings of systems walk throughs. The SME had created a user guide and had some initial outlines already created. I made sure to add in the appropriate information to help facilitators guide the sessions, ensured each session had a purpose and flow that was relevant to the learner and worked with my manager to create a series of critical thinking questions and practice activities.

Job aids
In conjunction with the VILT, I identified key areas where learners would need prompts so I developed several guides with screenshots and key callouts, no more than two pages.

Solution

  • Overview Video

    As an initial introduction to the product, I developed an overview video which included why it was developed, how it supports customers and the included features.

  • Presentation Slides

    To support the demonstration of the tool, I developed a presentation including conceptual visuals, questions and activities to aid in facilitation.

  • Facilitator Guides

    For each session I developed a guide to help facilitators navigate each session. These included key concepts to outline, critical thinking questions and activities for learners.

  • Quick Guides

    To assist learners after the session, I developed several quick guides that included relevant features of the software that they could use as a reference.

 
 

Overview video

Process diagram designed for the VILT powerpoint presentation

 
 

Feature call out designed for the VILT powerpoint presentation