"How long will it take?" is one of the first questions on any eLearning project, and the honest answer is that it depends on scope. As a guide, a short module usually takes a few weeks and a larger program can take a few months. Here is what sits behind those numbers, and what you can do to keep things moving.
Rough timelines
Every project is different, but these ranges are a sensible starting point for custom eLearning:
- A short microlearning piece: around 2 to 4 weeks.
- A standard module of 20 to 40 minutes: around 6 to 8 weeks.
- A larger, multi-module program: a few months, depending on the number of modules and the level of interactivity.
Rapid development can compress these when a deadline demands it, and a more interactive or media-heavy build will sit at the longer end. A good provider will give you a realistic schedule up front rather than an optimistic one you will both regret.
What the stages are
Knowing where the time goes helps you plan. Most projects move through these stages.
Scoping and analysis
Working out what people need to do differently, agreeing the goal, and confirming the content. Getting this right saves time later, so it is worth not rushing.
Design
Shaping the learning and producing a storyboard, the blueprint of every screen and activity, which you sign off before any building starts.
Development
Building the course in the authoring tools, adding media, and making it accessible. This is usually the longest stage.
Review and refinement
Your feedback, the changes, quality checks and testing across devices. Two rounds of review is common.
Launch and handover
Packaging the course for your LMS, final testing, and handing over the source files and documentation.
What speeds things up
- Ready content. If your source material is clear and accurate, the project moves faster. A blank page takes longer.
- Available experts. Quick access to the people who know the content keeps things flowing.
- Clear sign-off. Deciding who approves before you start avoids feedback gridlock.
- Prompt feedback. Review stages are where projects stall. Fast, consolidated feedback keeps the schedule on track.
What slows things down
The usual culprits are content that is not ready, experts who are hard to pin down, feedback that arrives late or contradicts itself, and scope that grows mid-project. None of these are unusual, and a good provider will plan around them, but being aware of them helps you avoid the worst of the delays.
Planning your timeline
If you have a fixed launch date, work backwards from it and build in time for review, because that is the stage most likely to slip. If your deadline is tight, say so early, so the scope can be shaped to fit. Our guide on cost pairs well with this one when you are planning a project, and a free Health Check will give you a realistic timeline for your specific job.
Working to a deadline? A free Health Check will give you a realistic timeline and a clear plan to hit it.