Project Scheduling & Estimating Activity Duration

 Introduction

            Planning an instructional design (ID) project involves considering key elements like scheduling, budgeting, and managing tasks. Good planning helps keep the project on schedule, within budget, and aligned with learning goals. Thankfully, many online resources can help instructional designers. In this blog post, we’ll look at three valuable resources: Instructional Design Central (IDC), eLearning Industry, and the Association for Talent Development (ATD). These websites offer plenty of information, templates, and tools to make project planning easier. We’ll give a brief overview of each site, point out the most useful features, and explain how these resources can improve ID project planning.

Resource One

Instructional Design Central (IDC) is a user-friendly website packed with valuable resources for instructional designers. It offers templates, best practices, and articles that focus on project management within the field of instructional design. The site is well-organized, with clear sections dedicated to different aspects, making it easy to find what you need.

The most useful feature of IDC is its wide range of templates. These include Gantt charts, task lists, and budget planners specifically designed for instructional design projects. These templates help streamline the planning process by covering all critical aspects of the project.

I would use IDC's templates to create detailed project plans, breaking down the work into manageable tasks with clear timelines and budgets. Additionally, the best practices and case studies on the site would help me tackle common challenges in instructional design projects more effectively.

Resource Two

eLearning Industry is a notable online community tailored for eLearning professionals. It provides a rich selection of articles and eBooks on various topics related to instructional design, such as project management, budget planning, and task breakdowns. The content is created by industry experts, ensuring it is both high-quality and current.

The most beneficial aspect of eLearning Industry is its comprehensive articles on project management strategies. These articles offer valuable insights into effective scheduling, budgeting, and task management, often featuring real-world examples and advice from seasoned instructional designers.

I would utilize the insights from these articles to craft a detailed project schedule, applying the suggested best practices for time management and resource allocation. The case studies and expert tips would also help me foresee potential challenges and implement proactive solutions.

Resource Three

            The Association for Talent Development (ATD) is a global membership organization that supports individuals involved in developing employees' knowledge and skills. Their website offers a wealth of resources such as articles, webinars, courses, and toolkits focused on instructional design and talent development.

The most valuable feature of ATD is its detailed toolkits and guides. These resources provide step-by-step instructions for planning and executing instructional design projects, including checklists, sample schedules, and budgeting tools. Additionally, ATD offers forums and special interest groups for professional networking and knowledge sharing.

I would use ATD’s toolkits and guides to ensure my project plan is thorough and follows industry best practices. The sample schedules and budgeting tools would help create a realistic timeline and budget. Engaging in the forums and special interest groups would allow me to get advice from experienced professionals and stay current with the latest trends in instructional design. Combining ATD’s resources with those from Instructional Design Central and eLearning Industry would help me develop a comprehensive and effective project plan.

Conclusion

            Using resources from Instructional Design Central, eLearning Industry, and the Association for Talent Development can greatly improve the planning and execution of instructional design projects. These websites provide useful tools, templates, and expert advice, helping to manage projects effectively and achieve successful learning results.

References

Association for talent development. (n.d.). https://www.td.org/

eLearning Industry. (n.d.). https://elearningindustry.com/

Instructional design central. (n.d.). https://www.instructionaldesigncentral.com/