As one of 20+ subcontracted eLearning Developers and Instructional Designers for this project, I collaborated with a large group of Subject Matter Experts and stakeholders, plus one Instructional Technologist and one ID Team Lead. SMEs provided the written steps and the Instructional Technologist designed the storyboards, then I developed the software simulation eLearning training for several modules.
Each module taught end-users how to use Cerner’s PowerChart features to store and update patient and prisoner information within the system. We used a variety of real-world scenarios with fictional characters in the medical field. We also referenced Cerner’s official Instructor-Led Training (ILT) manual when creating software simulations.
Approach: We developed each module using an “I Do,” “We Do,” “You Do” approach. The modules started with a “Watch Me Do It” scenario. Next, the learners followed along with a computer-guided “I Will Coach You Through It” scenario. Finally, the learners demonstrated their skills with a “Test Your Skills” hands-on application.
Upon module creation, I facilitated a series of approximately 3 to 5 virtual trainings to the Subject Matter Experts, including psychiatrists, doctors, dentists, lawyers, and government officials, to get stakeholder sign-off and SME approval.
Goal: help medical professionals and corrections institution officials understand how to care for patients and prisoners by gaining practice in common, everyday situations they would realistically encounter on the job.
Timeline: This immense project with a team of 20+ full-time Instructional Design contractors lasted over twelve months. At over 50,000 hours to completion, this was a multi-million-dollar project.
Project Management: Throughout this time, all Instructional Designers and eLearning Developers, myself included, worked remotely from home in various locations around the world, including the continental United States, Hawaii, and even Australia. The entire team flew to the Governor’s Office for a one-week, in-person project kickoff, which involved 40 hours of hands-on software training. The remainder of the project was self-directed and self-paced, with everyone working closely under a Project Manager and attending mandatory weekly calls via cell phone and status updates via Zoom. In between meetings, we communicated via a group Google Chat.
At the end of the project, I flew back to the Governor’s Office to work another week in person with the Project Manager, Instructional Technologist, and Team Lead. We had a final meeting, during which they performed an informal review and I received high accolades for my contributions.
Transition from Waterfall to Agile: Near the end of our project, we began discussing ways to transition from ADDIE and “waterfall” approaches to more rapid, Agile workflows. At that time, the bottleneck was the lack of availability of many project stakeholders and the level of “red tape” that exists in government and healthcare settings. Ultimately, it was decided that we would need to continue waterfall methodologies through the project end date because our stakeholders and SMEs could not accommodate an Agile environment. However, the Instructional Design contracting firm and Project Manager agreed to look into Agile methodologies for other projects in the future.
Industries: Government, Medical, Corrections
Software: Adobe Captivate, Adobe Photoshop, Cerner EHRS
End Users: Doctors, Psychiatrists, Dentists
Key Stakeholders: Government officials, Medical Providers
Deliverable: Software simulation training with branching scenarios
Results: Award-nominated project received exceedingly positive reviews from end-users and project stakeholders