3 Things To Expect From Your Content Developer

Your content developer’s job is to conceptualize and plan a well-orchestrated document, whether that takes the shape of a training program, an article, a video or some other type of communication. It is your job as the subject matter expert to fill in the blanks.

If you find that you are having trouble whittling down what you know to fill in the blanks, or you can’t fill in the blanks as requested, the training or content developer needs to come up with a better plan. A well-designed document will make it fairly obvious to you exactly what the learner or reader/viewer will be consuming. A good plan will also make it obvious what is being requested of you.

When your understanding of the pathway set out by the content designer is different than the execution of the process, communicate your concerns immediately. No use wasting time chasing rabbits down the proverbial rabbit hole.

You will need a few things from a content developer or, in the case of a training program the instructional designer, to know if you have a good working plan.

The ID should be able to tell you three things:

• Objectives and goals of the document you are working on
• Information needed from you to achieve the objectives
• Process and timetable for the project

The Plan

You didn’t get where you are without learning to expect the unexpected and adjust to it. For those of you who like to be prepared, here is a common sense guide as you plan your work with the content designer.

Plan A: Plan your work and work your plan.

Plan B: The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry; midcourse correction.

Plan C: When all else fails, experience has shown that true subject matter experts will get the job done no matter the circumstances.

So while Plan A is preferred and Plan B has been known to occur, many strong training programs and other content have emerged from the fact that you are, indeed, the expert and you got there by dint of hard work and tenacity.

It’s good to have a plan. It’s even better to have a true SME.