Project Types and Scopes

At National Louis University, the Learning Experience Design (LXD) team collaborates closely with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), Program Directors, and Department Chairs to craft impactful educational experiences. The scope of each project is negotiated and finalized during a Kickoff meeting, based on a variety of data. Below are the types of projects we offer, along with their respective time and resource commitments.

New Development

• Description: This entails the design and development of a course template in one or two modalities for a brand new course or for a course/modality that lacks an existing official Course Template.
• Estimated Effort: Approximately 100 to 150 hours, spread across one or two terms. Note that additional effort may be required for pilot testing after the first term.
• When Applicable: Ideal for initiating new courses or when adding a new modality (e.g., online or in-person) to an existing program.

Redevelopment

• Description: A comprehensive overhaul, usually triggered by a recent program review, significant industry changes, or shifts in accreditation standards or university/program-wide mandates.
• Estimated Effort: Around 100 to 150 hours, often requiring one or two terms for completion. Similar to new development, the first term's Course Template may undergo a pilot process, possibly extending the timeline.
• When Applicable: Suited for courses that must be updated due to evolving academic, industry, or accreditation standards.

Revision

• Description: Involves substantial modifications to an existing Course Template—changing more than 20% but retaining a significant portion of the original content—to better serve students' learning needs.
• Estimated Effort: Typically 60 to 75 hours, completed within a single term.
• When Applicable: Best for courses that have undergone minor shifts in objectives or requirements but don't necessitate a complete redevelopment.

Improvement

• Description: Concentrates on minor enhancements, targeting 20% or less of the existing course content in a pre-existing course template.
• Estimated Effort: A maximum of 20 hours, usually confined to one term. SMEs are required to submit a timesheet for the work conducted.
• When Applicable: Suitable for courses that are largely effective but may benefit from minor updates, such as updated readings or slight modifications to assessment strategies.

Understanding these project types and their requirements can assist Program Directors, Department Chairs, and SMEs in planning and allocating resources efficiently for course development.

To gain a better understanding of the various project types and access a visual representation, please refer to our Course Development Project Types Google document. This resource offers comprehensive information on each project type, assisting you in determining the appropriate project for your specific needs. The link provided will open in a new tab.