How we work

Custom e-learning development

"The eternal battle between good and evil!"

We're a mixed bag. Starters and finishers. Strong on process (project managers on the case). But pretty creative (given our head). Introverts and extroverts. Imaginative technologists. Dedicated instructional designers and writers . Dreamy? Graphic artists. All genuinely (really) dedicated to achieving the right result for our clients.

And that's how we work. All stitched together by a finely tuned production process (the combined experience of over 200 years in e-learning).

But seriously. Some FAQs.

• What's the process?

• How long does it take?

• Your technologies

• How much does it cost?

• What we want from our clients

• Who will I be working with?

What's the process?

Less errors. Less change. Less re-work. Less grief all round.

Adapted to the needs of the client and the project, but a consistent structure and timeline that we know brings projects in on time and budget.

Really thorough planning before moving on to the design phase which nails down the instructional approach, the visual 'look and feel' and tech spec that will make the whole thing work at the end.

It's all about the whole team being convinced the thinking is solid and the design is appropriate before any development starts.

Then it's milestones for reviews, sign-offs and buy in from key people (stakeholders) who need to be involved.

How long does it take?

When is it needed? We can turn a project round in a fortnight with rapid development. Or 12-20 weeks depending on what's required.

The timescale is more likely to be dictated by the availability of your key people, than how fast we can turn it round; this is our full-time job but our clients are often having to squeeze this in with their 'day job'!

In other words we talk it through and come up with a schedule we're all happy to work with and we can all stick to.

Your technologies?

We're agnostic. Whatever's best for the client and our target audience.

We work to industry standards like SCORM, W3C and HTML.

Many clients want us to work in HTML, Javascript, Flash. Sometimes it makes sense to use authoring packages such as Captivate or our own development tool called BILD (Brightwave Interactive Learning Developer).

We can integrate with pretty much any Learning Management System like SABA, Aspen, Skillsoft or our own, Launch and Track which works in most technical environments and, best of all from our client's point of view, isn't over-specced and overpriced.

And we often integrate with HR systems such as SAP and PeopleSoft .

End users can have PCs or Macs, Linux, IE, Firefox etc.

In other word the learning comes first, the technology second - luckily we're really good at both!

How much?

As Virginia (Director of Projects) says "The first minute is the most expensive." i.e. the initial investment in what it look likes, how it works technically and the creative and instructional approach.

The more you work with us on future projects the more cost effective it gets. Ask Bupa, Sky and Vodafone.

OK - the money. Rule of thumb is 20k an hour but we can do it a lot cheaper or more expensive depending on what you're after.

What we want from our clients?

Love, trust, mutual respect - all the usual things that make life worth living and projects successful!

The best projects are those where we play to the other's strengths. The client needs to be good at managing the project their end. Then we need the content - all of it - or access to the people who have it. Then our graphics team need branding guidelines and our technical team need to talk to your technical team and so on. We don't ask for much!

It's no coincidence that the Virgin Airways project that won the 2008 Best in e-learning DIMA award had a really hard working Virgin team on it with whom we worked very closely and enjoyably.

And there are opportunities for knowledge and skills transfer. Ask Glasgow City Council who are now producing their own excellent e-learning inhouse

Who will I be working with?

Your project team (Brightwave side) is led by a Project Manager supported by a Project Co-ordinator. They manage risk, maintain a high level of communication, budgeting, scheduling. They make it all happen.

An Instructional Designer who may also write, and perhaps other writers depending on the scale and urgency of the project. They'll also work with your content people.

The Art Director and Graphic Designers do the visual design, the layout and all the pictures and animations, maybe a photo shoot  and implement the brand (often talking direct with your branding or comms people).

The Lead Technologist will get to grips with your technical environment and ensure our design will work and integrate with your technologies.

The Build team, Quality Control and Testing are involved throughout the project. And your friendly Account Manager is always with us and listening to you in order to represent your best interests.

George Clooney. Angeline Jolie. Probably not. But you may get to work with the stars and a Video Director if video is in your programme.