eLearning Project: How to Work Well with Small Businesses
Working with subject experts (SMEs) is part of the job you do when creating e-learning. But be honest. That’s not always easy. Sometimes they give great insights. They also ask you to change what is already approved or focus on small details that have no impact on learning at all. So how can you get better, keep things smooth and make them feel what you’ve heard while collaborating with small businesses?
Set rules from the first day
Start your project with a clear review matrix, set expectations and avoid confusion later. Overview of this simple solution:
Things that small businesses should review
Specifically, are you reviewing raw content, storyboards, visuals, or final modules? Defines exactly which parts need attention. When they need to review it
Set deadlines for each review phase and explain how late feedback can delay your project. A shared timeline helps everyone stay consistent. What kind of feedback is welcome
Unless requested, it guides you to focus your input on content accuracy, clarity and learner relevance, rather than design elements or formatting.
Here is an example of a review matrix:
Freeze approved items
Once something is approved, such as a storyboard or visual design, it will be locked. Here is an example discussion to clarify that:
SME: “Let’s change the entire color scheme!”
Educational Designer: “Thank you for the idea! The visual was previously approved, so I’ll consider it for the next version.”
Show small businesses how to review
Since most subject experts are not familiar with educational design, it is helpful to guide you on how to provide effective feedback. To make your collaboration easier, create simple resources, such as short PDFs or a few slides.
What educational designers do
It outlines its role in shaping content, building learning experiences, and ensuring engagement and clarity. What feedback can be helpful?
Emphasises feedback that improves learning goals, accuracy, clarity, or learner engagement. Something outside their range
It will clarify which issues will be left to the design team, such as graphic layout decisions, technical platform details, and project timelines.
Track your feedback (and show what you did with it)
Use a feedback tracker to enable anyone to see what has been accepted, rejected or deferred. Here is an example template.
Prepare a friendly response
When replying to feedback from small and medium-sized businesses, it is important not to come across as a defensive player. Your goal is simply to clearly and respectfully explain your current status and reasoning. For example, you can actively acknowledge their input by saying, “Thank you! This is a great suggestion for future updates.”
If the timing is not allowed to change, gently set the boundary, such as “I passed a point that allows layout changes, but I’ll log it later.” Or focus on priorities by explaining, “We are currently focusing on content accuracy. We will reconsider the visuals at a later stage.” Using this type of language will help you keep your conversations constructive and maintain good collaboration with small businesses.
Report with the team after review
Take 15 minutes with your team to review carefully every time you receive feedback from small businesses. First, identify which comments are valid and truly useful. These are key points to improve the quality, accuracy, or clarity of e-learning content.
Next, separate feedback that appears to be out of topic, out of scope of the project, or unrelated to learning goals. This step helps to maintain focus and avoid unnecessary changes.
Finally, as a team, we decide how to respond to feedback. Plan a clear and respectful replies that allow SME input, gently explaining the limitations or reasons for not incorporating a particular suggestion. This thoughtful approach ensures smooth communication and keeps the project moving forward efficiently.
summary
Set clear review rules
Use the feedback matrix to define the type of input required at each stage of the project. Please explain how to review
To avoid off-topic comments, we guide small businesses on what to focus on, including learning impact, accuracy, and structure. Track your feedback in one place
Focus all your comments on a shared document or tool to ensure that things don’t get lost or repeated. Freeze approved work
Once the section is verified, lock it to avoid unnecessary backtracking and scope creep. Please use a kind and clear reply
Whether you push back or explain constraints, be sure to pay tribute to small business inputs. Debrief after review
Let’s reflect together what worked and what could be improved in the next round.
Final Words: Collaboration with SMEs
Managing small business feedback is about clarity, boundaries and mutual respect. Setting clear expectations from the start can help avoid confusion and integrity. When feedback comes in, whether it’s helpful, slow or topical, responding with patience and kindness can go a long way in maintaining an active working relationship.
This not only builds trust, it also creates a collaborative environment that everyone feels heard. Most importantly, it helps you get your e-learning project on time and keep it on your learning goals.
Image credits: Images within the body of the article were created and provided by the author.
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