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.
Do You Need and Instructional Design Consultant?
Ready to Work with Us?
Does your L&D team have more projects than people? Consider working with a learning and development company like TrainingPros. TrainingPros has been named a Top 20 Staffing Company internationally by Training Industry . We’re also proud to be named a Champion of Learning by the Association for Talent Development (ATD)—an international honor that reflects our dedication to excellence in corporate learning. These accolades underscore TrainingPros’ unwavering commitment to delivering high-quality, tailored training solutions.
If your eLearning for Business projects need instructional designers, eLearning developers, or other L&D consultants for your custom eLearning development projects, reach out to one of our industry-expert relationship managers today.
When you have more projects than people™, let TrainingPros find the right consultant to start your project with confidence. Schedule a consultation today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Scaling with Instructional Design Consultants
What does it mean to scale learning and development resources?
Scaling learning and development (L&D) resources means increasing your team’s capacity to deliver training without overloading internal staff. This often involves bringing in additional support like instructional design consultants to handle increased demand, larger projects, or tight timelines while maintaining quality.
When does it make sense to hire an instructional design consultant?
Organizations typically hire an instructional design consultant when:
- Training demands increase quickly
- A large initiative (like onboarding or system rollout) is underway
- Internal teams don’t have the bandwidth to meet deadlines
- Specialized skills are needed for a specific project
It’s a flexible way to scale without making long-term hiring commitments.
How do instructional design consultants help organizations scale quickly?
Instructional design consultants are used to stepping into projects with minimal ramp-up time. They bring established processes, tools, and experience from similar projects, which allows them to contribute quickly and help teams move forward without delays.
Is hiring a consultant more cost-effective than hiring full-time staff?
In many cases, yes. Especially for project-based work. Hiring full-time employees involves long-term costs such as salary, benefits, and onboarding. Instructional design consultants are typically engaged for a defined period, allowing organizations to align costs directly with project needs.
What types of projects are best suited for instructional design consultants?
Consultants are often brought in for:
- Large-scale onboarding programs
- System or software training rollouts
- Compliance training updates
- Leadership development initiatives
- Custom eLearning development projects
These projects often require additional capacity or specialized expertise that internal teams may not have available.
How do you ensure quality when scaling with consultants?
Quality is maintained by:
- Clearly defining project goals and expectations upfront
- Establishing review and feedback processes
- Aligning on design standards and tools
- Selecting experienced consultants with proven portfolios
A structured approach helps ensure consistency, even as the team expands.
How do instructional design consultants integrate with existing teams?
Most consultants work as an extension of the internal team. They collaborate with stakeholders, attend team meetings, and follow established processes. Strong consultants are adaptable and can quickly align with company culture and workflows.
Can instructional design consultants support both short-term and long-term needs?
Yes. Some consultants are brought in for short-term projects lasting a few weeks, while others may stay engaged for several months or longer, especially on complex or evolving initiatives. This flexibility is one of the key advantages of using consultants.
What are the risks of not scaling L&D resources effectively?
Without the ability to scale, organizations may experience:
- Delayed training rollouts
- Overworked internal teams
- Reduced quality of learning solutions
- Missed business objectives tied to training
Bringing in the right support at the right time helps prevent these issues.
How can a staffing partner support scaling efforts?
A staffing partner can streamline the process by:
- Quickly identifying qualified instructional design consultants
- Matching skills to project requirements
- Reducing time spent on recruiting and vetting
- Supporting both clients and consultants throughout the engagement
This allows organizations to scale more efficiently and with less risk.
