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Choosing an appropriate eLearning production partner is the vital choice that has a potential to significantly impact a success of your training program. Given z multitude of alternatives available, the task of identifying a most suitable one can be quite daunting. Follow these five tips to ensure you find and vet a top elearning production companies before signing a contract.
Define Your Goals and Requirements
Before starting your search for an eLearning production company, take time to define your goals and requirements. Identify the specific learning objectives and whether you need compliance or skills training. Understand your target audience including how they will access the training and their tech abilities. Outline the project scope, timeline, and budget. Determine if you can leverage existing assets or if new development is needed. Having clarity on these key details allows you to effectively communicate needs to vendors. It also enables you to properly evaluate and compare eLearning companies’ capabilities against your particular project. Well-defined goals and requirements are crucial to finding the right eLearning partner and setting your training proram up for success. Taking time upfront to clarify this information will streamline your vendor search process.
Research eLearning Production Companies
With your goals in mind, start researching eLearning companies that seem to specialize in or have experience with similar projects. Create a list of potential vendors to evaluate further. Search online for reviews, client testimonials, case studies, and samples of past work. Look for evidence that a company has successfully completed projects similar to yours. Make note of any past clients that are in your industry as well.
Check for certifications like Member Seal from the eLearning Guild which indicate a commitment to quality. Look at company websites for portfolios, client lists, and credentials of instructional designers. Develop a shortlist of 3-5 promising eLearning companies to further investigate through demos and proposals.
Request Proposals
Once you’ve identified a few potential eLearning partners, ask each to provide a detailed proposal outlining their approach. Supply the vendors with your defined goals, audience, timeline, and other key details.
A quality proposal should include the company’s methodology, specific timelines and milestones, samples, total cost breakdown, and information about the team assigned to your project. Compare proposals to determine which one best aligns to your needs, seems most feasible, and provides the most value for the cost. Don’t just choose the cheapest option.
Interview Shortlisted Companies
Schedule calls, demos, or even on-site visits with your shortlisted companies. Prepare questions to directly interview project leads about their experience, capabilities, and approach to your project.
Some key questions to ask:
- How will you ensure alignment with our stated goals and measure success?
- Walk me through your entire eLearning development process step-by-step.
- How will you communicate and provide project updates on an ongoing basis?
- Can I speak to an account manager that would be assigned to our project?
Pay attention not just to what they say but how knowledgeable, responsive, and collaborative they seem. Be sure you feel 100% comfortable working with them.
Check References
Before committing, check references of potential eLearning partners by speaking to past clients. Ask about overall work quality, timeliness, communication, and their willingness to incorporate feedback. Hopefully references can validate the company delivered excellent work aligned to goals, on time and on budget. Any red flags raised should give you pause about moving forward.
Conclusion
Choosing the right elearning development services does take time upfront. But vetting thoroughly ultimately saves time, money, and frustration down the road. Following these tips will help ensure you find a true eLearning partner able to deliver real results.
