Managing the Content Explosion How an LCMS Enables Content Single Sourcing and Considerations for Implementing a Single Source Model

Angie Hubert ahubert@outstart.com

Senior Implementation Consultant

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Where is Learning Going?

ILT(Instructor-led Training)

WBT / Collaboration

Job Aids / Support Systems

Blended Learning Approach

Learning delivered variety of ways - Maximum Impact!

•Ability to shorten training time•Ability to provide a more learner centric approach

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Traditional Development Tools

Support Systems

Instructor-Led Training

Web-BasedTraining

DreamweaverFrontPage

AuthorwareHTML

HTMLOnline Help Systems

FrameMakerWord

PowerPoint

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Traditional Development Problems

X =X

Multiple Copies = Multiple Versions

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How Can You Achieve Minimal Duplication?

By developing and delivering in an object model—delivery media By developing and delivering in an object model—delivery media independent “Learning Objects”— content can become:independent “Learning Objects”— content can become:

– Granular

– Searchable

– Re-useable

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Employees

Partners

Customers

So What is Single Sourcing?

&

Leverage content for multiple needs….

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This allows flexible delivery to multiple technologies and multiple audiences

Content PresentationTechnology

How is Single Sourcing Possible?

The key is storing content without presentation…

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What Does a Single Sourcing System Look Like?

Contribute &Author Once

UpdateOnce

DeliverTo

Many

Centrally manage object development, revision, delivery and publishing

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Delivery Medium(technology)

“Raw” Content Branding

How Is this Possible?

Provides Flexibility

Instead of maintaining multiple versions…

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Single Source Application:Using A Real Case to Define

OutStart’s Education Product Development Group

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OutStart’s Education Product Development Group (EPDG)

Product A Development

3 ID / Tech Writer

1 Multimedia Specialist

30 education and documentation products

Development time = 4 months

Documentation– User Guides– Online Help– Tech Docs / Reference Manuals

Instructor Led Training– Student Guides– Instructor Guides– Instructor Slides– Train-The-Trainer Course

eLearning– Admin e-Learning– User e-Learning– Delta e-Learning

All for multiple roles within the system

6 Resources / 7 Software Products

Sr. Technical WritersSr. Instructional DesignersMultimedia Specialist

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What EPDG Delivers: Product ADocumentation # Pages

–3 Online Help Systems (CD, Admin, Learner)

–3 User Guides (CD, Admin, Theme Admin)

–4 Tech Docs (install, migration, reference guide, release notes)

•575

•950

•115

Instructor Led Training Courses

–4 Instructor Guides (CD, Admin, Review, TTT)

–4 Student Guides (CD, Admin, Review, TTT)

–4 Slide Decks (CD, Admin, Review, TTT)

–4 Logistics Guides

•520

•520

•80

•40

eLearning Courses

–Course Developer

–Admin Training

–Delta Course Developer

–Delta Admin

•1170

•305

•50

•50

Total Pages: 4375

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Examples of Deliverables:Documentation

Online Help (How)

User Guide (What + How)

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Examples of Deliverables:Instructor Led Training

Student Guide

Instructor Guide

Instructor SlidesTrain the Trainer Guides

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Examples of Deliverables:eLearning

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Preparing for Blended Development

Technology can provide reusability but without the right design and development process effective reuse will never become real…

Requires a High Level Shifts in:• Beliefs• Methods• Strategies

Plus Four Specific Tactical Shifts…1. Choose An Instructional Design Model2. Redefine Development Model3. Redefine Development Standards4. Define Re-Use Strategy

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1. Choose Instructional Design Model

• First Major Shift

• Supports Learning Object Development

• Supports Synchronous and Asynchronous Needs

• Provides Consistency for Developers

• Provides Consistency for Learners

• Requires Training / Practice

• Various implementations– Cisco RIO Strategy

– Navy Reusable Learning Object Model

– Autodesk, Westland, OutStart, etc.

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2. Redefine Development Model

• Second Major Shift

• Supports Learning Object Development

• Supports Rapid Development / Maintenance

• Supports Collaborative Development

• Define Content Development Workflow– Process – Roles / Responsibilities

• Internal vs. Vendor Requirements

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3. Redefine Development Standards

Develop Guidelines / Job Aids for Authors– Writing and Syntax Guidelines

– Metadata Standards

• Object Searching for Reuse

• System Integration Requirements (LMS, Collaboration, CRM)

– Technical Standards (file formats, sizes, etc.)

– Assessment Development Standards

– Hyperlink and reference strategy for Web content

– Graphic Naming Standards

– Learning Object Template(s)

– Simulation Development Guidelines

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4. Create Single Source Strategy

• Last Major Shift

• Single Source of Content– Documentation

• User Guide• Online Help

– ILT• Student Guide• Instructor Guide• Instructor Presentation Slides

– E-learning• On-line course• Synchronous Presentations / Conferencing• EPSS

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What Are the Keys to Single Sourcing?

•Single Source Methodology•Delivery Media Independent Content•Reusable Objects•Adoption of Standards•Metadata Tagging•Dynamic / Multiple Medium Delivery

Employees

Partners

Customers

&

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The Single Source Strategy

• Most difficult strategy to model and implement– Extends Complexity of Reusability Guidelines

– Extends Complexity of Development Model

– Extends Complexity of Standards Development

– Revisit all guidelines, models, standards

But…Has the highest impact and returns!

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Implementation Suggestion

• Phased Approach

• Phase 1 – Learning Object Development– Instructional Design Model– Development Model– Standards Development– Training / Practice

• Phase 2– Plan and Pilot Single Source

• Phase 3– Implement Single Source

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The Evolution Platform

Contribute &Author Once

UpdateOnce

DeliverTo

Many

Working Smarter to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle Content

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OutStart Mission

“To deliver the formal learning, informal learning & social software enabling the knowledge transfer that

organizations need to perform their roles effectively.”

Employees Partners Customers

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Product Offerings

“Industry’s most comprehensive Learning and Social Software Portfolio”

• Learning Content Management (LCMS)

• Enterprise Social Software for informal learning & collaboration

• Learning System (LCMS, LMS, Collaborative Social Learning)

• Desktop Development Suite (Desktop Authoring, Application Software Simulation)

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OutStart LCMS – Learning Content Management

• Develop, not just author

• Centrally manage

• Effectively maintain

• Delivery highly effective learning

• Modules optimized for online & blended delivery

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OutStart Participate

• Enterprise Social Software Platform

• Integrate with Learning Systems, to bridge formal & informal learning

• Focus on initiatives offering rapid ROI

• Broad set of capabilities supporting bi-directional creation / transfer & organic capture of knowledge

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OutStart TrainingEdge.com

• SaaS learning system, formal and informal learning

• Focus on small & medium enterprises & departments within larger organizations

• Integrated system with LMS, LCMS, and Collaborative Social Learning Platform

• Components available behind the firewall

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OutStart SellingEdge.com

• SaaS offering for dynamic Sales Knowledge system

• Focus on organizations with complex, rapidly changing products and services

• Fits the behavior of sales organization

• Integrated with salesforce.com & certified for AppExchange

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OutStart Desktop Developer Suite

• Shrink wrapped desktop development suite– eLearning

– Software simulations

• Focus on individual developers

• Abundant templates & wizards to build robust eLearning and simulations without programming

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OutStart, Inc.

• Founded 1999

• Participate acquisition 2004

• Eedo merger 2008

• Profitable; Cash Flow Positive

• 500+ Customers ranging from SMB to enterprise & Gov’t

• Headquarters: Boston

• Offices in North America & Europe

• 140 Employees & FTE

745 Atlantic Avenue| Boston | MA | USA745 Atlantic Avenue| Boston | MA | USA

"By taking advantage of a solution that integrates knowledge sharing and blended learning capabilities, companies are able to benefit from faster time to market and shorter sales cycles that directly impact the bottom line."

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Customers