How to Create an Instructional Design Document

If you’re trying to become an instructional designer or land better ID opportunities, then knowing how to create an instructional design document (IDD) will help you get there! 👉Download the Become an ID Checklist: www.devlinpeck.com/become-an-...
In this video, we take a look at the elements of an instructional design document, the steps you might take to build one, and how it could be implemented in your next instructional design project.
IDDs are a great way to help build consensus with your team, but they also provide an opportunity to think through the instruction you’re designing, how you’re motivating learning, how activities will be aligned to objectives, and how you’re applying learning theory and principles.
While IDDs may take a more traditional approach and may not always be used in fast-paced, corporate settings, stay tuned to the end of the video where I share my streamlined approach for creating a document that gets straight to the point.
Comment below to share your experiences with instructional design documents and how you’ve used them on the job!
Learn more about SAM (an ID process that focuses on prototyping) here: • SAM - The Successive A...
Watch the Action Mapping Playlist: • Action Mapping for Ins...
Learn how to write learning objectives for your next IDD: • How to Write Learning ...
What types of ID analysis should you include in your program overview? Watch here: • 5 Types of Analysis fo...
Looking to increase learner motivation in non-instructional activities? Check out the ARCS Model: • The ARCS Model of Moti...
Explore the full "Design Effective eLearning" Playlist: • How to Design Effectiv...
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**Book Recommendations**
The Non-Designer's Design Book: amzn.to/3kP0reO
Map It: amzn.to/3f137mR
eLearning and the Science of Instruction: amzn.to/3kNuBiF
Design For How People Learn: amzn.to/3CLtrNM
Michael Allen's Guide to eLearning: amzn.to/31ZUbJB
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Full writeup: www.devlinpeck.com/posts/vide...
0:00 Intro
1:11 What is an IDD?
2:28 IDDs are Traditional
5:00 What does it include?
5:46 Program Overview
7:52 Non-Instructional Activities
10:05 Objective Analysis
13:23 Streamlined IDD
14:30 Next Steps

[@DevlinPeckYT]

Need help writing learning objectives for your IDD? Check out this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h4mqgJ2wmLaXnrM

[@dikshabhagat4755]

Hi Devlin Peck The videos that you make are really very helpful. 😊✨ Small suggestion: when you are explaining things, it would be better if you can show some samples along with it so that viewers who are new to it can have better picture and a clear idea. Thanks

[@DevlinPeckYT]

Good suggestion, Diksha! Thank you 😃. And I’m glad you’re enjoying the content

[@Claudia-ur7hq]

I love Devlin Peck

[@wenxiong5987]

Helpful for me, a teacher-transitioning instructional designer. I made notes of the key points you shared. Many thanks for your sharing.☕😊

[@DevlinPeckYT]

Glad that it was helpful! Thanks for watching 😃

[@TheLaydi1]

Have you fully transitioned?

[@TheUrbanVeg]

We definitely use IDDs at Twitter, but we call them other names like ‘Foundations document or Design document’. We use them for all projects, but we use much lighter versions for a short VILT or e-learning course rather than a larger, multi-day program. Mostly this confirms that a performance consult or assessment has been done to confirm we need this, KRs, etc. Sometimes for a large program like Onboarding where we’re going to go through journey mapping, etc and what we’re building is much larger than only learning components, we use insights from that work to build any learning solutions but we still document it.

[@DevlinPeckYT]

Thanks so much for sharing this here. Great to see how different projects have different needs. We appreciate you!

[@jonc8561]

How's Elon Musk?

[@musetimeful7892]

This is essential information. Most problems I encountered during design is a result of a lack/ not flushed out enough IDD (Design Plan).

[@DevlinPeckYT]

Happy to help! And yes, I can see how that could lead to problems

[@joepiekl]

Thanks for this Devlin. I'm currently enrolled on the University of Maryland Micromasters on EdX that was recommended by one of your guests (Sara Stevick, I think). It's been great so far, so thanks for the recommendation.

[@DevlinPeckYT]

You’re welcome! And I’m glad that you’ve been enjoying it 😃

[@JonathanLedesma-jl4ll]

Hello Devlin, Can you make a tutorial about making ID proposals

[@vasundharak9536]

Thank you! That was very helpful.

[@DevlinPeckYT]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching :D

[@djtitanium7579]

Hi Devlin Peck. Thanks for the informative videos. I have master's in curriculum and instruction with rich classroom experience. I am transitioning to becoming an instructional designer. How do I join your bootcamps?. Thank you!

[@InstructionalDesignsbyFoster]

Thank you.

[@ksaha2509]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Can you please help me understand how would you enlist list of modules or topics in a course? Do learning objectives serve as inputs or maybe list of tasks uncovered in task analysis? I typically get stuck in coming up with list of mods or topics in a course. Some insights from you will be very helpful. Thanks.

[@JessieCarty]

Very informative! So far in my role, I haven't had to create much in the way of design documents, but I have had to share current prototypes often via PowerPoint presentations. I think the equivalent in my current position is creating project charters, but I haven't been the lead on a project yet so I just get to read them ;)

[@DevlinPeckYT]

That does sound very similar, Jessie! I hope that everything is going well 😃

[@JessieCarty]

@@DevlinPeckYT yes! I'm definitely still learning a lot and really enjoying the team of people I work with 😊

[@TheHendrixExperiences]

You are my go-to for professional development! Do you have an example of a completed IDD? or even a blank template that you would share? I am new to the field and while I have created a "learning event map" that seems similar in theory, I'd love to see what this looks like from your experience.

[@DevlinPeckYT]

Hi Alyson! Great question. I don’t have one on hand but please ask this in the community space and we’ll be happy to help 😃

[@sol1angel]

I’m new to ID but have heard the term storyboard and prototype often. How do these compare to an IDD? Is storyboarding essentially creating a IDD but for e-learning or video tutorials specifically?

[@DevlinPeckYT]

Great question! The IDD generally comes before the storyboard...it's higher-level. The storyboard includes all of the specific text and programming notes for the learning experience. Check out this video to learn more about storyboarding: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eGqTp2x-fd6IiNU The prototype is generally an interactive version of the learning experience (so it comes after the storyboard or it replaces the storyboard process entirely in some processes). Learn more about that approach with SAM: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sH7UkJavqLSkmLs Action mapping is another great ID process that uses prototyping: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mGKViZiVe8xgr80

[@Kwintessential2]

Very useful

[@DevlinPeckYT]

Thanks for watching! Glad to hear that this one is useful :D

[@xkawaiiloverrx3]

what software would you recommend for creating an IDD?

[@ksaha2509]

Typically we use a Word document; might use PowerPoint too if it needs to be presented to stakeholders. @devlin?

[@Aanayafunlife]

​@@ksaha2509 right 👍

[@theresecagle6777]

You mentioned that most Corp used SAM, does that include the SAAVY Start because in my corporate experience, we've used a condensed version of ADDIE. In hindsight, and not being the PM, Why? We have so many new options and tools. Thank you for creating a raw portfolio of ID immersion. May I simply suggest inflection or voice coach to help you modulate tone and provide more of an inflection during speaking? Sometimes I have to listen to your content 5 x, because 1) You talk really fast 2) I fell asleep to your monotone pitch. Please don't stop sharing, this is just one ID to another.

[@ksaha2509]

I'm so much focused on the content that Dev is speaking about or showing that i haven't much been affected by the apparent lack of inflection in his tone. Not sure if everybody is able to manage that.