Resources
Following are questions about resources to consider as you plan your training program. There are two lists here, the first are "Key Questions:" those that you will likely need to consider early in the process. Following are "Additional Questions:" questions you may also find useful to consider. These lists are not exhaustive, and you may have additional questions.
These questions are intended to guide the process of thinking through the design of training programs and the choice of delivery method. If you click on Key Questions Form, you will find the key questions for all the factors listed. You can customize this form as well by downloading and editing it.
Instructor
- How many instructors are needed?
- Will training be needed for instructors?
- How much time will the instructor or presenter need to prepare to teach this training?
- Is there travel involved for the instructor? Hotel costs? Meals?
Space/Location
- Is there existing space? Will it need to be changed in anyway?
- How much space is needed? How many rooms are needed?
- Will learners be in one location only?
- Will participants work in their own space/at their own computers?
Time
- How many hours is this training?
- Will the training be taught in segments? (For example, will the training be taught in one-hour segments, once per week, for many weeks? Or, will the training be taught in two half-day sessions?)
Cost
- Will space need to be rented?
- Is there an instructor on staff or will one need to be hired?
- Is there a course designer on staff or will one need to be hired?
- Will handouts, supporting documentation, and instructor materials be produced in-house or at a cost from a vendor?
- Will existing software or computers be used as is, or will they need to be upgraded or purchased?
Subject Matter Expert (SME)
- Does the training require an expert in a field to provide information to the designer/trainer?
- Is there someone in-house to provide subject expertise?
- How much research might be needed to ensure the content will be relevant, timely, and up-to-date?
Equipment/Software/Technology
- Is new software needed to develop the training or materials?
- Will existing software need to be upgraded?
- What presentation equipment will be needed? (computers, video, microphones, TV)
- What is the room setup? (Tables, chairs, podium, slide screen, projector, etc.)
- Are there complex installations requiring technical expertise?
- Will participants need access to specific kinds of technology during this training?
Administrative Staff
- Who will be needed to help with copying, slide creation, technical support?
- How will communication with participants be handled?
Cost Factor:
Space
- Is there existing space? Will it need to be changed in anyway?
- Is a different space needed?
- How much space is needed? How many rooms are needed?
- How many people will be in the room at one time?
Development Time
- Is there an existing course that needs to be updated?
- Is this a new course?
- How complex is the content/subject matter?
- Will the course content be used again or integrated with another course?
Materials
- Will a handbook need to be created or updated?
- Are there any special printing requirements?
- Will special materials, props or items be needed for exercises or activities?
- Can the materials be used again?
- Will permission to use material need to be acquired?
Software
- Is new software needed to develop the course or materials?
- What software is needed during the course?
- Are there complex installations requiring technical expertise?
- Is the equipment in good working condition or in need of repair?
Equipment
- What presentation equipment will be needed? (computers, video, microphones, TV)
- Is there any special equipment be needed? (simulation machinery)
- What is the room setup? Will tables, chairs, podium etc. need to be rented?
- Will equipment need to be moved from another location?
- What equipment needs to be rented?
- Will existing equipment need to be upgraded?
Instructor Time
- How many instructors are needed?
- What is the average salary of a trainer?
- Is a teaching assistant needed?
- Will the instructor(s) need to be trained in any way?
- Will an instructor need to be hired?
- Is there travel involved for the instructor? Hotel costs? Meals?
Administrative Time
- Will support staff be needed to help with copying, slide creation, technical support?
- Will participants need to register for the class? Will a registrar be needed?
- Will advertising be needed?
- How will communication with participants be handled? (phone calls, emails)
- Outside vendor coordination?
- Food coordination?
Vendors
- How many outside vendors are needed? (trainers, equipment rental, printing)
Beverage/Food
- Who will be paying for refreshments?
- Will lunch be provided?
Travel
- Is an instructor being brought in?
- Does the instructor have to travel to different sites?
Participant Time
- What is the average salary of the people taking the course?
- How many people need to take this course?
- How much time can the average participant dedicate to learning the new information in the course?
Time Factors:
Length of Class
- How long will the class need to be in a given day?
- Will the class be taught at one time (one day, one time)?
- Will the class be taught many times a week? Many times a year?
- Will the class be taught in segments? (For example, will the class be taught in one-hour segments, once per week, for many weeks? Or, will the class be taught in two half-day sessions?)
Time to Develop
- How much development time will it take to design the class?
- Will the class be developed in segments? Or will it be completely finished prior to the first time it is conducted?
- How many people will need to be involved in designing the class, and thus how many hours of different expertise will be needed?
Instructor/presenter time
- How much time will the instructor or presenter need to prepare to teach this class?
- How much time will any given instructor present?
Administrative time
- How much time will be needed for course administration?
- How much time will be needed for course administration? For example, how many people and hours of individual administrative time will be needed to register participants?
Location
- How much time will be utilized of each location in which the class is presented?
- How much time at an individual's desk/computer will be needed
Participant time
- How much time will participants be in the course overall?
- in each segment, if more than one session?
- at their desks/computers, if e-learning?
- in a classroom setting, if presented in a group format?
- How much time will participants need to prepare between sessions or segments?
- How much time will be needed to register or do pre-work?
