Helpful Links to ID Planning Success!

Estimating Costs and Time in Instructional Design

I found this website to be extremely helpful because it did a good job of breaking down each aspect of the planning process for instructional design. It gives a breakdown of the different time and money allocations for an ID project. The author walks you step-by-step through the different elements that go into instructional time, planning time, development time, etc. The final element on this website is a link to an "Excel Spreadsheet Cost Estimator" which the designer can use to apply his/her own project details to a blank spreadsheet. There are also links to other resources and learning activities that would be helpful for a first time instructional designer.

Michael Greer's PM Resources

This is the website of the slightly famous (in our course at least) Michael Greer whose captivating works we read each week in class. I certainly couldn't pass on the opportunity to use his website as an example for this assignment. ;-) He starts out by explaining the different "rules of thumb" related to instructional design and estimating costs. His advice is helpful, especially to those of us who have never done this before. For example, he states that "what matters most when estimating the development time is the instructional development project management model you will be using." This was surprising to me because I didn't think that the model determined time. It seemed to me that the model was just an organizational structure but not something that would influence the time allocation on a project. The website also includes links to other PM resources that can be accessed for assistance on all aspects of the project. Of course, if you like the website he offers you plenty of assistance for purchasing his materials.