Eric R. Parks, Ph.D. President/CEO ASK International, Inc. COO, TeraLearn.com, Inc.
One of the most challenging aspects of web-based training design is projecting how much time and money it costs to create custom web-based training. Companies have used a variety of approaches. One technique uses performance objective count. In this case every 5-7 performance objectives equals one hour of online learning. Another company uses an ILT conversion rule of thumb i.e. when converting instructor led training to the web every 2 hours of instructor led training translates into approximately one hour of online training or a 50% user seat time reduction. Unfortunately, we typically spend way more time and money than estimated on most custom projects. None of these methods are reliable because they do not take into consideration the nature of the content, design treatment or experience of the development team. Leveraging my many years of development, I have designed a fast and easy time/cost estimator to allow client companies to reliably predict distance learning total level of effort requirement. I am pleased to mention that, while presenting this methodology at a conference, a Ph.D. candidate came up to me and pointed out that his doctorial dissertation research on cost estimating WBT reinforced the results of this tool. I wasn’t surprised since this has worked reliably for me for over 20 years.
Using the Tool Access ASK's WBT Cost Estimator Tool It is important to remember that our tool helps you think about the nature of the task and sort out risk factors. The key to using the ASK’s WBT Cost Calculator is to remember that it is an estimate. Your actual time and costs will typically fall plus or minus 10%. Each of the variables discussed in the table is provided below. For the tool to work, think of a topic that you would like to publish in a WBT format and then restrict that topic to what you consider to be approximately one hour of online learning. The variables you will rate include the following components.
Design Complexity
The design of your program can greatly impact costs. Here you ask yourself how complex or difficult will it be to design this course? Rate difficulty in the following manner:
- High = Robust simulation with many variables and/or the implementation of rich media such as video, unique and creative animations or audio
- Medium = a tutorial with moderate media treatment
- Low = A page turner with typical interactively approximately every 5 screens
Content Complexity
Like design, content varies in complexity. Use the guidelines below to help designate content complexity.
- High = Rapidly changing content typical of new software releases or highly technical subjects such as found in medical, bio-tech or engineering
- Medium = Much more well defined with accessible content
- Low = Stable, well documented with little or no ambiguity
Authoring System
Your choice of authoring tools will impact the time and effort required to produce your online course. Typically, programming type tools take much more time then PowerPoint. Use the guidelines below to help you choose between levels.
- Programming Languages – HTML, Java Script or FLASH all increase development time and effort
- Visual Authoring Tools – Authorware, Director or Toolbook II help reduce development time but typically require specialized plug-ins that may or may not be permitted in organizations
- PowerPoint/Word – Require the least development time but typically must be paired with a conversion tool and LCMS product to incorporate testing, tracking and performance support
Publishing System
How you plan to publish your course will also impact time to deployment. A custom web page will require time for design, development and debugging. A learning management system (LMS) allows publishing but doesn’t incorporate reusable learning objects, content/publishing tools or content tracking. A learning content management system (LCMS) will have the features that can reduce deployment time such as reusable learning objects, content/publishing tools and content tracking.
- Custom Web Page – select this option if you will need to design a custom website to house your course
- LMS – Support deployment of packaged courseware typically requires SCORM 1.2 standard
- LCMS – Has a large number of tools to allow rapid publishing plus content tracking over the life cycle of your product
Experience
Answer this question from the point of view of the development team. How much experience does the team have working together building custom web-based training. Although experience with CBT or ILT may be helpful there is a considerable learning curve associated with WBT development.
- None
- Some
- A Lot
Existing Materials
The quantity and quality of existing source materials needs to be evaluated. Do you have a lot of materials to work with? Do you have some materials to work with? Or do you have no materials to work with?
- None
- Some
- A Lot
Total Estimated Development Hours
At the bottom of the tool you will find the total number of estimated development hours for your one hour of WBT. Your first hour is always the most difficult and challenging, you will achieve increased efficiency for subsequent hours. Typically this can drop as much as 50% over the first hour of development.
Using the Tool Access ASK's WBT Cost Estimator Tool The final part of the equation is to estimate the cost per hour. For example if you have a course that will take 250 hours and the cost per hour is $100 then the total cost for the 1st hour will be $25,000. Vendor costs typically run from $100 to $200 per hour depending on the course design requirements. The programming component of a project can be reduced considerably by utilizing offshore resources; however, quality control costs can considerably increase offsetting the reduction in development costs.