Learning Experience Architect
Learning Experience Architect
Complex Software Made Simple
Role: Lead Instructional Designer | Format: Web-Based Job Aid | Audience: Novice to Intermediate Navy Mission Planners | Scope: 350 Total Hours Across All Deliveries
Project Summary
The goal of this project was to take complex software and turn it into a clear, easy-to-use instructional program that helped users understand the system and apply it effectively. We broke the software down into its major components, identified the areas most critical to user performance and retention, and organized the training around those priorities.
We also worked closely with Subject Matter Experts and experienced fleet users to identify realistic workflows and determine how the software was actually used in operational settings. These workflows helped shape the instruction and gave learners practical examples of how to use the available tools more efficiently.
The project generated strong interest from the fleet because the software was already known to create significant pain points for users. As a result, experienced personnel were highly engaged throughout development and provided valuable feedback during both content creation and validation.
What began as a single training solution eventually expanded into multiple iterations and follow-on efforts. We were awarded additional opportunities to adapt the content for different training platforms, and the material was later converted for use in training developed for international allied audiences.
Challenges and Solutions
The biggest challenge was the complexity of the software itself. Because we were responsible for creating training that would help users operate the system effectively, we first had to develop a deep understanding of how the software worked and how its individual components were applied in real-world planning workflows.
Existing documentation provided a starting point, but some resources were outdated or did not fully reflect how the software was being used in practice. As a result, much of our understanding came from frequent hands-on use of the software, testing different functions, and working through the same workflows our learners would eventually need to perform.
Subject Matter Experts and experienced fleet personnel were invaluable throughout this process. Their feedback helped us validate our understanding, clarify real-world application, and identify the areas that caused users the most difficulty.
Through that combination of hands-on exploration, SME collaboration, and continuous validation, we were able to develop a training program that gave learners a clearer and more practical path toward understanding and effectively using the software in support of their planning responsibilities.
My Role
As the Lead Instructional Designer, I was responsible for developing a deep working knowledge of the software so I could participate effectively in discussions with Subject Matter Experts, software developers, and government stakeholders. Because many software functions were interconnected, I often had to understand several related components before I could accurately write instruction for the specific feature I was assigned.
I also led in-progress reviews with the client and Subject Matter Experts, helping validate instructional content and identify areas where the software itself was not functioning as expected. In addition to writing the majority of the training content, I performed quality assurance testing, supported issue identification, and helped plan the production schedule to ensure each learning objective was addressed and completed.
By the end of the project, I had developed such a strong understanding of the system that I became a go-to resource for questions about how different software functions operated. This level of expertise allowed me to bridge the gap between the technical system, stakeholder expectations, and the instructional experience we were building.