Learning design involves asking lots of questions, getting the answers and asking a lot more questions dependant on the answers to the first questions.

Questions such as:

• What do they actually need to do this?
• What do they need to do differently?
• What’s the worst that could happen?

Only by finding the answers to these, and other questions, can you think about how the learning experience will be mapped out. Effective questioning can identify the gaps in knowledge and skill and discover where the learner currently is on their journey.

Many times I have had SME’s approach me stating ‘I need training in…’, only when questions have been asked can you confirm the objectives of the training will meet the needs of the SME and the learners.