Instructional Problem: What would I do in this situation?

In my twitter feed, I saw a question for the #lrnchat community. The question was 'What would you do in this situation?  To read about the situation, click here.
From the post on Quora, here is a summary of the situation:

-Problematic course that needs to be fixed
-11 modules each of around 40-60 slides
-All of the imagery is inappropriate
-All the interactions are meaningless
-Source materials from the SME are extremely vague and rambling
-Learning objectives are all poorly defined
-Course took 12 months to create with an ID working full time
-Extreme time-pressure to fix the course with very limited budgets

This problem is as real as it gets. It is not a unique, course-specific, client-specific, SME-specific, ID-specific issue. Infact, this situation correctly defines the problem being faced by many reflective instructional designers, educated clients and smart learners. 

I don’t know the complete situation and by no means do I claim to be the expert here. However, this question did make me think. 
So, here are some of things that I would do in such a situation:

• Analyse: Spend some time doing analysis before jumping into 'fixing' the course. Reconfirm the need for the course, why it is important, how it will be used, who will use it, etc. Be sure that the 'course' is the right way to close the learning gap. If not, step away from the job and don't create the course or fix the existing course.
• Talk to learners: Talk to the learners to identify how the course is relevant to them and how they plan to use the information from the course. Be sure to understand the learning context.
• Focus on the vital: Use the 80/20 Pareto principle and identify the vital few, the most critical learning objectives. Draft these learning objectives. These will be the 20% that make the most difference and are directly tied into 80% of the real-world performance tasks.
• Focus on what learners need to do: Use the 20% objectives to focus on what the learners need to 'do' and using that filter, remove what learners need to 'know' or things that are 'nice to know'.
• Revise content and media: For this 20% course content (which is now roughly down to 2 modules), revise the existing content or rewrite new content, if required. Create suitable media as required. Relevant content is the best way to ensure interactivity and engagement.
• Think outside the PPT: Remind yourself that using PPT slides is not the only way to deliver the training. Think about other interactive and engaging methods to deliver the training with not too much content writing yet ensuring maximum impact. For example, leverage SME time to build scenarios or role-plays that can be used during the course so that learners get to practice their new skills and receive feedback from experts.
• Use blended learning: Work with the client to build sessions by guest speakers or experts within the organization who can share stories or anecdotes related to the content area and how it is applied on-the-job. Make the course 'blended' so that learners can engage with both the content and the delivery media.
• Make learners pull content: Create a course where the learners can 'pull' more content when they need it. Don't write everything they should read or they should know. Create a framework for learning and support it by providing references, additional reading material, books, videos, etc. If they have a question, learners should know where to go or whom to speak to.

So, that’s what I would like to do in such a situation. I do realize that projects and clients don't always go the way we would like to. However, as long as we are committed to designing and developing the best learning for our learners, we know that we are doing our bit to solve the problem. 

For some great advice on what makes quality instruction and valuable learning experiences, visit Serious eLearning Manifesto. If you agree, show your support!

The 'Perfect' Subject Matter Expert (SME) - Myth or Reality?

The term, 'Subject Matter Experts' or SMEs typically brings to our mind the faces of 'content experts' that have contributed their expertise to our instructional design projects. Along with these faces, some of us are reminded of the challenges and frustrations that we have felt along the way. But is there a Perfect SME or is it an illusion? Is the perfect SME a mythical character from far, far away or can we find one on this planet? Is it a myth or a reality? 

Well, the 'perfect SME' is an illusion or an enigma just like a 'perfect instructional designer' or a 'perfect human being'. However, you can learn to partner with SMEs and make the relationship work for you and the project. But before you venture out and attempt to partner with SMEs, it is important to understand three things. These may not be true in all projects but in most cases, these are valid:

1) Most SMEs are typically not deeply interested in developing the training material/manual/course or whatever else is that you are interested in developing because - it's not their job. They are not instructional designers. > Their interest and engagement varies. 

2) Most SMEs are low on time and always in demand. They would prefer to use their time and expertise in their area of chosen work. In most cases, they did not choose to work with you on the instructional design project; someone asked them to do it. > Their availability is always a challenge.

3) Some SMEs may not be 'experts' but were asked to contribute to the project. And there are many good reasons why. They might have been 'experts' in the area a few years ago and since then have moved into other areas of work or they were doing the job the longest or they were available. > Their expertise may not be at the level you expected.

Once you appreciate and truly understand these realities, it is easier to partner with SMEs. Remember the word 'partner' and not 'work with or manage'. Working on instructional design projects with other contributors including project managers, programmers, graphic artists and content SMEs is all about cooperation, communication and partnership. Infact, each of us is an SME in our area of work. If we look at a project with this lens, no one is an outsider and no contribution is less or more. Everyone is required and their expertise is valuable.

The bottom line is that no one is perfect. In a project, we all have to work with each other and learn to capitalize on the given competencies and overcome any limitations. Good work happens when we focus on both the task and the relationship. 

How to Find the Right Mentors?

If there is one investment that you can make for yourself in the new year, let it be this one: find yourself a mentor or two...

I admit it is not easy to find a mentor. Are you looking for 'The One'? When it comes to mentoring, more than one is better. Don't be afraid to identify and select your mentors based on your needs and goals and the characteristics you admire in them.

If you are ready and willing to be mentored, here are some ways to find the right mentors:

1) Look in places outside your organization perhaps in formal or informal professional groups or associations or community and social settings such as voluntary organizations. You and your probable mentors already have things in common if you are a part of the same group.

2) Search for good mentors in your online personal learning network. Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and Google+ are all wonderful resources to find the right mentor for your specific situation. Look for people who can guide and people who can inspire.

3) Family members in similar industries or even different industries can be mentors too. If you have someone in your family that you admire, ask them to be your mentor and create a structured process to interact with them. 

4) Consider a mentor younger than you. I am a mentor for my parents who are keen to jump on the whole social media bandwagon but don't know where to start. Peers can be great mentors too.

5) Become a mentor to understand what it takes to find the 'right' one. If you know what it takes, you are more likely to find and interact with people that have the same values regarding mentoring.

Hope you are able to find your mentors in the new year and be a great one for someone else. It is a give and take after all. 

The delicate balance of mentoring someone is not creating them in your own image, but giving them the opportunity to create themselves. ~Steven Spielberg