Imagine yourself as a Lead Instructional Designer responsible for developing modules for a curriculum targeting architects and engineers. Your program manager informs you that this curriculum, comprising 12 modules, needs to be distributed among four Instructional Designers reporting to you. The content of these modules is interlinked, with source materials spread across 25 different documents.
As a Lead Instructional Designer, you have collaborated with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and completed the skills needs analysis. Given the complex requirements and the need for multiple Instructional Designers (IDs) to work on the modules concurrently, you must ensure that each ID thoroughly understands the following parameters:
- The purpose of their module and its place within the larger curriculum.
- The target audience for the module.
- What learners are expected to know (learning outcomes) by the end of the module.
- The instructional design strategy for the module, including the design elements to be used.
- The number of knowledge checks and assessment questions to include.
- Where to find source content for each screen, sub-topic, or topic, and the appropriate level of detail for the content.
A content outline alone will not suffice. You need to create a Detailed Design Document (also known as a Low-Level Design Document or Instructional Design Document). This document should include:
- Module objectives.
- Instructional strategy.
- Detailed descriptions of design elements.
- References to source content for each module.
The Detailed Design Document AKA Instructional Design Document serves as the blueprint for the storyboard of each module. It helps every ID understand the overall instructional strategy, the role of their module in the larger curriculum, and—crucially—the volume and location of source content (with references to specific documents). This ensures that each ID develops learning materials that are cohesive, relevant, consistent, engaging, and effective.
