If your learning and development (L&D) team is stretched thin, you’re not alone. From tight deadlines and new technologies to streamlined teams, the demand on corporate learning and development departments has never been higher. And while your internal team may be talented and dedicated, even the best teams can’t do it all—especially when business needs shift quickly.
That’s where instructional design consultants come in.
These professionals are more than just extra hands. They bring fresh perspective, specialized skills, and the ability to ramp up quickly to help you meet training goals without sacrificing quality—or overworking your internal team.
So, when should you consider bringing one in? Let’s break down five key scenarios where working with an instructional design consultant isn’t just helpful—it’s a strategic advantage.
1. You’re Facing a Tight Timeline (and It’s Not Moving)
You’ve been there. A product launch is looming. A compliance training needs to go live before the quarter ends. Or leadership decides to roll out a new initiative—fast.
In these situations, internal teams often find themselves scrambling to keep up. And while your team may have the talent, you simply may not have the time. That’s when an instructional design consultant can be a lifesaver.
Consultants come ready to work, often with experience in your industry or training format. Whether you need a complete course built in Articulate Storyline, a virtual instructor-led session mapped out, or content restructured for better engagement, a consultant can jump in quickly to help you meet the deadline—without sacrificing quality.
Pro Tip: Bring in an instructional design consultant early enough in the process to let them truly partner with you. Rushing to bring someone in when the project is far behind schedule limits the impact the consultant can make.
2. Your Internal Team Is at Capacity (or on Leave)
Even the strongest internal training teams have limits. Between vacations, medical leaves, and juggling competing priorities, there are times when the team simply can’t take on one more thing.
Instead of risking burnout or delaying critical work, many companies bring in instructional design consultants to provide short-term coverage or extend their team’s capacity. These consultants can lead new projects, keep work moving in someone’s absence, or provide support during a surge in training demand.
At TrainingPros, we frequently place consultants in interim roles—sometimes for just a few weeks and sometimes for six months or more—depending on the client’s needs.
Real-World Example: One client in the financial services industry needed to maintain momentum on a leadership development program while their lead instructional designer went on parental leave. We matched our client with a consultant who had experience in financial services, instructional design, eLearning development, and facilitation, as well as keeping in mind the company culture, allowing for a seamless transition and no disruption to the team’s project schedule.
3. You’re Entering Unfamiliar Territory (and You Want to Get It Right)
Let’s say your organization is moving into a new market, implementing a new system, or designing its first blended learning program. If your internal team has never worked in this space before, there’s a lot of pressure to get it right the first time.
Rather than learn through trial and error, many learning leaders turn to consultants who already have deep experience in that exact space.
Instructional design consultants often bring backgrounds in:
- Compliance or safety training
- Systems and process rollouts
- Global learning and localization
- Soft skills and leadership development
- Gamification or branching scenarios
- Accessibility standards and inclusive design
By tapping into that expertise, you can avoid costly missteps and create more impactful learning experiences.
Bonus: Consultants who’ve worked across industries bring best practices that you might not otherwise encounter—offering new ways of thinking about design, engagement, and measurement.
4. You Need a Fresh Perspective (or Your Content Isn’t Engaging)
Let’s be honest: not all legacy content is effective. Over time, training programs can become bloated, outdated, or just plain boring. But internal teams often don’t have the time or distance to step back and reimagine a course from the ground up.
That’s where an instructional design consultant can bring immense value. A consultant can:
- Audit and analyze existing courses
- Identify opportunities for improved flow or engagement
- Redesign static content into interactive eLearning
- Add real-world scenarios or branching logic to better reflect job roles
- Recommend tools and formats that align with today’s learners
If you’re hearing feedback that your training “feels outdated” or “isn’t sticking,” a consultant’s fresh eyes may be just what you need.
5. You’re Kicking Off a High-Stakes Project (and You Need to Get It Right the First Time)
Some training projects are too important to treat as learning experiments. Some of these might be: onboarding for a high-growth department, training to support a digital transformation, or a C-suite-visible leadership development program.
In these moments, bringing in a skilled instructional design consultant can raise the bar. They’ll help you:
- Define learning objectives tied to measurable business goals
- Align stakeholders and subject matter experts
- Choose the right learning modalities (VILT, eLearning, microlearning, etc.)
- Build deliverables that are polished, engaging, and ready for launch
With the right consultant, you don’t just deliver training—you deliver results.
So, When Should You Bring in a Consultant?
If any of these scenarios sound familiar, it may be time to consider partnering with an instructional design consultant. The right consultant brings more than just capacity—they bring perspective, momentum, and expertise.
Whether you need short-term support, specialized skills, or someone who can just get the job done, a consultant can help you move forward with confidence.
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Does your learning and development department have more projects than people? TrainingPros has been named as a Top 20 Staffing Company internationally by Training Industry. Coupling this award with being named a Smartchoice Preferred Provider by Brandon Hall Group for 2025 underscores TrainingPros’ unwavering commitment to delivering high-quality, tailored training solutions. If you need instructional design consultants for your upcoming projects, contact one of our industry-expert relationship managers today. When you have more projects than people™, let us find the right consultant to start your project with confidence. Schedule a consultation today.
