MEET and GREET: The Front End Analyst

eLearning Design MEET and GREET

eLearning Design Say hello to the first role in a string of roles that make an eCourse a complete product. We rightfully start from the start – identifying a problem. This usually brews up within the organization and has many forms, but a performance challenge is the common spark that starts the whole reaction. From then on the steps are as follows:

What is the problem?

Generally, performance challenges come from either the lack of ability or low motivation. They both can be attributed to various causes – overly difficult tasks of a demanding position, low individual skill and knowledge, poor job match in the first place, change of environment, lack of support and so on and so forth. Needless to say, pinning down the right cause is paramount to our success.

The right solution

Once the problem has been detected and understood it's time to apply the correct remedy. This is sometimes not eLearning or not even learning. It might be simply relocating a person to another team or reassigning them to another position. Then again if training is what is needed, the right tool might as well be face-to-face tutoring. Once all options have been weighed and eLearning has been appointed the right solution it is time to:

Profile the learner

It's crucial to know what the skills, knowledge and attitude of the target audience are. The tighter the match, the better the training results will be. For example, how adept they are at using a computer, what device are they most likely to use to view the eCourse, in what environment, how much time will they have or willing to spend and so on. The more answers to such questions we have – the better fit and the more customized the experience for the learner will be and consequently the closer the learning goals will be met.

Understand the job

Another important asset that you start with is a good understanding of your learner's job. Naturally, to be able to help them get better at what they do you need to be relevant in designing the training they will go through. Gather as much information and understanding as you can and the instructional designer will be able to make the course helpful and efficient based exactly on the tasks the learner is required to perform.

Collect the content

And finally, gather and consolidate all content and data so it can be distilled and readily available to the other team members that will turn it into an eCourse. This is especially helpful for the next two roles that we'll meet in our next two posts – the Instructional designer and the UX designer.

Share your experiences on front-end analysis and any tips that may help your fellow eLearning designers and developers. 

Check the first blog in the MEET and GREET series for an overview of all 10 roles. 


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