When it comes to hiring eLearning developers, learning directors and managers need to be strategic to ensure they find the right fit for their projects. A well-chosen developer can significantly impact the effectiveness and success of your eLearning initiatives. Here are the top nine things to consider when hiring an eLearning Development Contractor:
1. Relevant Experience
Look for eLearning developers with experience in creating deliverables similar to your project goals. The more relevant their past projects are, the quicker they can adapt to your specific needs and deliver quality results.
2. Portfolio Review
Always insist on examining a portfolio of samples. This will give you a sense of their style, creativity, and adaptability. Look for diversity in their work to gauge how well they can handle different types of content and learning environments. If you are looking for courses with a specific style, be sure to specify what you’d like to see before the interview.
If you work with a company like TrainingPros, we will review each consultant’s portfolio for you and only provide consultants with samples that match your requirements – saving you hours of portfolio review and interview time.
3. Technical Skills
Make sure the eLearning development contractor has a high proficiency with the tools required for your project. When examining portfolio items, ask questions about the technologies used. This will help you understand their technical expertise and ensure they can meet the demands of your project.
For example, if you are looking at a sample in Storyline with Vyond animation, ask specific questions such as, “Can you describe how you created this animated roleplay?” or “What was your process for inserting the Vyond animation into this course?”
4. Instructional Design Knowledge
Determine if the developer will receive a finished storyboard or if you expect them to contribute to the instructional design. If it’s the latter, ask basic questions about their understanding of instructional design principles for eLearning. Their answers will give insight into their ability to create effective learning experiences.
Questions might include, “How do you handle a situation where a SME provides too much content, and you need to scale it back?” or “Can you walk me through how you would create an eLearning course without a storyboard?”
If you are working with a company such as TrainingPros to find your eLearning Developer, the relationship manager will make sure they understand whether or not the consultant needs to understand instructional design and they will bring candidates who can do both design and development.
5. Project Management Abilities
A good eLearning development consultant should manage their time well and keep projects on track. This is particularly important for contract roles where the contractor may be juggling multiple projects. Strong project management skills ensure timely delivery and efficient workflow.
Ask the eLearning Development contractor questions such as, “How do you prioritize your different project?” or “Describe how you report your status on each of your projects.”
6. Communication Skills
Effective communication is key. Your eLearning developer should be able to clearly explain their ideas and understand your requirements. The consultant should also be skilled in clearly reporting the status of and risks to the project. This helps in avoiding misunderstandings and ensures that the project progresses smoothly.
Ask the consultant for examples of how they communicate the course flow, interactions, and graphic elements.
7. Cultural Fit
Consider how well they will fit with your team and organizational culture. A good cultural fit can make collaboration smoother and more enjoyable. It’s important that the developer’s working style aligns with your team’s dynamics.
8. Feedback and Revisions
Ask about their process for handling feedback and making revisions. Flexibility and responsiveness are crucial in this area. You want a developer who is open to feedback and willing to make adjustments to meet your expectations.
9. References
Check references to get insights into their work ethic, reliability, and professionalism from past clients. TrainingPros checks references and knows the track records of our eLearning development consultants, which can take a lot of the guesswork out of hiring a consultant.
Conclusion
When you are thinking of hiring an eLearning development contractor, consider working with an established specialized company like TrainingPros. We can save you many hours of vetting and find the right consultant to start your project with confidence.
Download a copy of : 9 Things to Consider When Hiring eLearning Developers
Schedule a consultation today to learn how we can help you find the perfect eLearning developer for your needs.
Alternatively, you could utilize TrainingPros’ complete team of eLearning developers with a project manager and all the necessary tools for large eLearning projects. This team is already assembled and highly experienced. As a manager, you need only interact with the TrainingPros Project Manager, eliminating the need to consider any of the items on the list above.
Schedule a demo today to see how our team can seamlessly integrate into your project and drive success.
