Here are some rules of thumb that some "old hands" in the training business use to estimate the amount of materials required for traditional and interactive training courses:
Rule:Up to 20 pages for each hour of trainee reading. An experienced instructional designer will spend approximately one hour per page of finished reading material.
Explanation:These include anything that trainees are asked to read, e.g., class handouts, text of workbooks, etc. Exercises and quizzes are not included.
Rule:About 1 1/3 pages of script for each minute of audio, 2 pages of script for each minute of video. Storyboards take more pages per minute. A page of script for audio can be written by an experienced script writer in one hour, a page of video script in 90 minutes, and one storyboard takes an average of 30 minutes.
Explanation:If your own designers are writing their own scripts, use these rules of thumb. If you are subcontracting the script writing out to media producers, simply tell them how many minutes you will need.
Rule:Ten or more format sheets may be required for each minute of interactive training material used by trainees. Experienced designers can produce four format sheets per hour. Storyboards for video or animation sequences may take more pages per minute at a rate of production of one storyboard per thirty minutes.
Explanation:Formatting your intended interactions for CBT or interactive multimedia is essential for formative review and accurate communications with other members of a design team such as programmers and graphic artists.
Rule:About a 1/2 page for each introduction or summary
Explanation:These "set-ups" or reviews may be required in trainee and/or instructor materials, especially when the segment is lengthy or the material complex. Explanations of how to get started with interactive training materials are especially critical. An experienced designer will write an introduction or summary in an hour.
Rule:10 to 15 pages for a one day course
Explanation:This material describes the general instructor skills required, facilities and set-up requirements, overall expectations regarding the orchestration of events during the course, etc. An experienced designer will write orientation material at the rate of one page per hour.
Rule:About 10 pages for every hour of lesson plans
Explanation:Lesson plans should include:
An experienced instructional designer will write lesson plans at the rate of one page per hour.
Rule:About ten per hour of instructor led presentation or demonstration
Explanation:This is a difficult one to estimate because some complex content may require substantially more visually. It is a good idea to examine those used in similar courses before making a final estimate. An experienced instructional designer can produce two overhead transparencies or flip chart visual per hour. Often the instructional designer will sketch out the illustration and a graphic artist will produce the final product.
Rule:Up to 5 pages of material for each trainee exercise
Explanation:Exercises include hands-on activities such as role-playing, in-basket exercises, assignments, and drill-and-practice materials. Experience designers design exercises at the rate of one page per hour.
Rule:One page for every two test items.
Explanation:A general rule of thumb is to have at least two test items for each objective provided that the objectives are behavioral based and defined very carefully. Quizzes are much more difficult to prepare than most instructional designers realize. Quizzes often requires the assistance of test, measurement, and/or evaluation specialists to assure that the quizzes are reliable and valid. Allow at least 30 minutes of professional time for each test item.