As someone new to the world of instructional design, you may be wondering how long it takes for an instructional designer to build an entire course from start to finish.

The answer isn’t black and white, however. E-learning creation requires attention to detail; thus, creating a course from scratch or an existing one takes time.

Many factors play a part in the course development timeline. To name a few:

• Instructional designer’s experience
• Instructional designer’s prior knowledge of the subject
• Amount of curriculum and content
• Course review and approval timelines
• Amount of feedback received; changes needed

According to a 2020 study, the average time to develop a 20-minute e-learning module with moderate engagement activities, such as games and simulations, is 116 hours.

Phases of Instructional Design Course Creation

To understand where course development time is spent, it’s wise to understand what an instructional designer does. While no two instructional designers have the same day-to-day responsibilities, most follow a similar process for e-learning creation.

Step One: Explore the Course

First, instructional design professionals explore the existing course materials, content, goals, and needs. They may interview stakeholders and analyze existing materials to create timelines and other project details. This step allows them to communicate expectations and set goals fully. 

If creating a project timeline for course development, instructional designers must think realistically and consider the average time it takes to build a course. For example, if the average time spent is 116 hours per 20-minute module, a 20-minute course may take a full-time employee at least four full weeks to develop the course. This is a great place to start when creating an instructional design timeline.

Step Two: Develop the Training Strategy

Following the discovery mission, the instructional designer will create a course design plan based on student goals. This step is the pre-planning step before e-Learning creation occurs.

Step Three: Design the Course

This is where the magic happens! The instructional designer can design the course from start to finish, creating training materials like infographics, visual presentations, worksheets, simulations, and quizzes.

Step Four: Implement the Course

After the course is approved for students, an instructional designer may implement the course experience by leading in a classroom (virtually or in person). 

Step Five: Evaluate the Results

Once students have completed the course, many instructional designers are responsible for evaluating the results and effectiveness of the coursework. They will review assessments, feedback, and other course data to identify improvements.

Step Six: Redesign Necessary Modules

If improvements are necessary, the instructional designer will redesign modules or regularly revisit the course to update information as it becomes out-of-date. The most successful instructional designers understand how and when to adjust to improve effectiveness.

How to Improve Your e-Learning Course Creation Timeframe

According to survey respondents, the most significant time barrier to the e-learning creation process is a need for more resources, such as limited time, budget, or talent. Other reasons why course development time stalls can be attributed to scope creep or expanding project deliverables, lack of standardized processes and templates, and lack of availability on behalf of subject matter experts and stakeholders.

It’s important to note that very few instructional designers attribute a lack of talent to why course development takes more time.

Communication is essential to cut back on course development time. Setting expectations upfront can help instructional designers avoid scope creep and keep stakeholders and other involved parties on schedule for all deliverables and feedback. 

When a client lacks standardized processes and templates, there are few workarounds to reduce the time it takes to create the course. In this instance, instructional designers can rely on their standardized processes and templates for course creation, using prior experience to build upon the client’s content base.

And where else can you build exceptional experience than right here with IDOL Academy? IDOL Academy teaches you how to become a talented instructional designer in record time. In 24 weeks or less, through our incredible e-learning courses, you’ll master the design and technology skills and real-world experience needed to develop a rewarding career in instructional design.

As the world’s first and only authorized virtual vocational school for instructional designers, you’ll receive technical training, hands-on experience, portfolio-building opportunities, and career coaching. All of these activities set our graduates up for success in new roles and with upgraded skills in learning development.

Don’t miss out on the next cohort! Apply for IDOL Academy to get started on your instructional design career.