Instructional Design — P1
INSTRU.INSTRUCT9870.P1
Designs and develops learning solutions (eLearning, instructor-led, and blended) by analyzing learning needs, defining performance objectives, and building content using instructional design methodologies (ADDIE, SAM) and authoring tools. Distinct from Learning Delivery/Facilitation (classroom instruction), LMS Administration (platform operations), and Training Program Management (logistics/operations); this focus owns the design and construction of the learning experience itself.
Designs and develops learning solutions (eLearning, instructor-led, and blended) by analyzing learning needs, defining performance objectives, and building content using instructional design methodologies (ADDIE, SAM) and authoring tools. Distinct from Learning Delivery/Facilitation (classroom instruction), LMS Administration (platform operations), and Training Program Management (logistics/operations); this focus owns the design and construction of the learning experience itself.
Focus — Instructional Design
Designs and develops learning solutions (eLearning, instructor-led, and blended) by analyzing learning needs, defining performance objectives, and building content using instructional design methodologies (ADDIE, SAM) and authoring tools. Distinct from Learning Delivery/Facilitation (classroom instruction), LMS Administration (platform operations), and Training Program Management (logistics/operations); this focus owns the design and construction of the learning experience itself.
Responsibilities by level
What this person actually does at each level on the professional track — escalating scope, not one generic blob. Your level is highlighted.
- Supports development of training materials and digital learning content under the guidance of senior team members, performing storyboarding, content writing, and multimedia integration.
- Assists in designing e-learning modules, training manuals, and job aids using authoring tools such as Articulate Storyline, Rise 360, and Camtasia.
- Collaborates with subject matter experts (SMEs) to gather source content for modules under direction.
- Participates in user testing and supports collection of learner feedback to inform revisions.
- Handles basic project-management tasks in Trello, Asana, or Microsoft Teams and participates in needs analysis activities led by others.
- Designs and develops effective training content from start to finish, creating eLearning, instructor-led, and blended solutions.
- Analyzes learning needs and develops performance objectives applying adult-learning principles and Bloom's Taxonomy.
- Works with SMEs to gather and validate content, and develops quizzes and assessments aligned to objectives.
- Ensures SCORM compliance and LMS functionality in platforms such as Cornerstone, Moodle, or Canvas, and applies accessibility standards (WCAG/Section 508) to deliverables.
- Evaluates and revises existing materials based on learner feedback, taking independent ownership of conventional design tasks.
- Takes end-to-end ownership of full-cycle instructional projects, planning the work and managing milestones independently with milestone review.
- Conducts advanced needs assessments and task analysis to determine whether problems are solvable through instruction and to define instructional goals.
- Selects appropriate methodologies (ADDIE or SAM) and design approaches (backward design, Gagné's Nine Events) based on the project context.
- Facilitates stakeholder meetings and coordinates project activities across SMEs, reviewers, and learning teams.
- Develops assessments and evaluation tools to measure whether learning objectives are met across diverse content domains.
- Leads design and delivery of large-scale learning initiatives spanning multiple teams or departments, coordinating cross-functional contributors and driving content strategy that aligns training with organizational goals.
- Performs in-depth analysis of complex learning variables, using models like ADDIE and SAM to create comprehensive multi-module solutions.
- Develops evaluation tools using the Kirkpatrick model to measure learning outcomes and demonstrate functional impact.
- Provides guidance and mentorship to junior and mid-level designers, reviewing deliverables against quality standards.
- Selects design methods and tools for complex projects, advising stakeholders on whether instruction is the right intervention.
- Serves in a consultant or learning experience design (LXD) capacity shaping holistic learning strategy that contributes to broader company learning objectives.
- Acts as a strategic business/stakeholder consultant, advising leaders on training solutions and reframing problems from 'is the content right?' to 'is this the right problem to solve?'
- Drives competency-based, adaptive, and microlearning strategies for significant or unique initiatives, exercising high independence on broad and special assignments.
- Builds influential networks across the L&D community, serves as an external spokesperson on design practice, and stays current on emerging trends, methods, and technologies.
- Mentors designers on special and high-complexity assignments, setting the design direction others follow on those programs.
- Owns curriculum architecture and sets the standard for instructional excellence, designing curriculum frameworks and establishing design standards and best practices adopted across all teams.
- Serves as primary consultant to business leaders on training solutions and leads flagship, high-visibility learning programs.
- Architects learning solutions that set internal and industry benchmarks for engagement, scale, and long-term maintenance, owning the full lifecycle of courses with regular reviews and updates.
- Monitors program effectiveness through learning analytics and uses the resulting insight to evolve enterprise design standards and methodology.
- Operates with full autonomy to design and prototype novel learning experiences integrating current and emerging technologies (including data- and AI-enabled solutions), and provides high-level mentorship that influences designers across teams.
Level guidelines
The universal leveling rubric applied to this function — how scope, complexity, collaboration, and experience step up across levels.
| Level | Knowledge & Application | Complexity & Problem Solving | Collaboration & Interaction | Typical Degree & Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P1 | Applies foundational instructional design concepts and basic authoring-tool skills (Storyline, Rise 360, Camtasia) to developmental tasks such as storyboarding and multimedia integration under close supervision. | Handles routine content-development problems with standard answers, following established templates and detailed instruction from senior team members. | Maintains stable internal relationships with team members and SMEs, gathering source content as directed. | 0-1 years; new graduate or intern, often with coursework or certification in instructional design or a related field. |
| P2 | Applies adult-learning principles, Bloom's Taxonomy, accessibility standards, and SCORM requirements to develop complete eLearning, ILT, and blended deliverables using authoring tools. | Exercises judgment in familiar design contexts, developing objectives and assessments from defined needs and revising content based on feedback. | Builds productive project relationships with SMEs and reviewers; validates content and manages defined design tasks with some routine independence. | 2+ years with a bachelor's, or a master's/PhD with no prior experience. |
| P3 | Independently selects and applies methodologies (ADDIE, SAM, backward design, Gagné's Nine Events) and conducts needs and task analyses across diverse content domains. | Evaluates identifiable factors to diagnose whether instruction is the right solution and defines instructional goals for varied projects with day-to-day independence and milestone review. | Networks with senior professionals, facilitates stakeholder meetings, and coordinates project activities across contributors. | 5+ years (BA), 3 years (MA), or PhD without prior experience. |
| P4 | Applies in-depth knowledge of evaluation models (Kirkpatrick) and content strategy to complex, large-scale initiatives that span multiple teams, selecting appropriate methods and tools. | Performs in-depth analysis of complex learning variables to align training with organizational goals, delivering impact across an entire function or department. | Coordinates across groups, influences design and tooling decisions, and mentors junior and mid-level designers. | 8+ years, often with graduate education in instructional design, education, or a related field. |
| P5 | Brings expert, strategic knowledge of competency-based, adaptive, and microlearning approaches, acting independently on broad and special assignments that carry barriers to entry. | Addresses intangible, strategic problems—reframing whether instruction is the right intervention—with high independence and direct contribution to company learning objectives, rather than executing within a defined program scope. | Builds influential networks across the L&D community, serves as an external spokesperson, and sets design direction that other designers follow on special initiatives. | 12+ years with extensive instructional design expertise across modalities and domains. |
| P6 | Defines the organization's curriculum architecture, design standards, and methodology, integrating emerging and AI-enabled technologies to establish field-defining practice rather than apply existing approaches. | Solves field-shaping problems—architecting solutions for engagement, scale, and long-term maintenance that become internal and industry benchmarks—with full independence as a strategic contributor. | Serves as primary consultant to business leaders and a recognized thought leader who influences design practice across the organization and the broader profession, providing high-level mentorship to designers across teams. | 15+ years as a principal-level instructional design expert; often advanced degree plus recognized industry leadership. |
Skills
Focus-specific skills the role applies — the relevance layer beyond the occupational base.
- ADDIE
- Instructional design methodology framework (Analyze, Design, Develop, Implement, Evaluate) used to create comprehensive learning solutions.
- SAM (Successive Approximation Model)
- Iterative instructional design methodology used as an alternative to ADDIE for developing learning content.
- Backward design
- Design approach that starts with desired learning outcomes and works backward to create instruction.
- Bloom's Taxonomy
- Framework for classifying learning objectives by cognitive complexity.
- Gagné's Nine Events
- Instructional model outlining nine events of instruction for effective learning.
- Kirkpatrick evaluation model
- Model for evaluating training effectiveness across four levels.
- Needs analysis
- Diagnostic process to determine whether a problem can be solved with instruction and to define instructional goals.
- Task analysis
- Breaking down tasks to identify learning and performance requirements.
- Learning objectives
- Defining instructional, learning, or performance objectives for a program.
- Competency-based learning
- Learning approach organized around demonstrated competencies.
- Microlearning
- Designing small, focused units of learning content.
- Adaptive learning
- Designing learning that adapts to individual learner needs.
- Adult learning theory
- Principles of how adults learn, applied to designing training content.
- Accessibility (WCAG/Section 508)
- Designing learning content to meet accessibility standards.
- HTML and CSS
- Markup and styling skills used for course design and customization.
- Data and AI fluency
- Experience with data-informed or AI-enabled learning solutions.
- SCORM compliance
- Ensuring eLearning content conforms to SCORM standards for LMS compatibility.
- Articulate Storyline
- Authoring tool used to build interactive eLearning courses; applied during day-to-day course development.
- Articulate Rise 360
- Web-based authoring tool used to build responsive eLearning content.
- Adobe Captivate
- Authoring tool used to develop eLearning, simulations, and software demonstrations.
- Camtasia
- Screen-recording and video-editing tool used to produce instructional video content.
- Vyond
- Animation tool used to create animated instructional video content.
- Lectora
- eLearning authoring tool used to build accessible, SCORM-compliant courses.
- Canva
- Graphic design tool used to create visual assets for learning materials.
- H5P
- Tool for creating interactive HTML5 learning content embedded in courses or LMS platforms.
- iSpring
- PowerPoint-based authoring tool used to convert slides into eLearning courses and assessments.
- DominKnow
- Cloud-based authoring platform used to develop and manage responsive eLearning content.
- Cornerstone
- Learning management system used to host, deliver, and track learning content.
- Workday Learning
- Learning management module within Workday used to deliver and track training.
- Moodle
- Open-source learning management system used to host and deliver courses.
- Canvas
- Learning management system used to host, deliver, and manage courses.
- TalentLMS
- Cloud-based learning management system used to deliver and track training content.
- Adobe Photoshop
- Image-editing tool used to create and edit visual assets for learning content.
- Trello
- Project-management tool used to track instructional design tasks and milestones.
- Asana
- Project-management tool used to coordinate instructional design project activities.
- Microsoft Teams
- Collaboration tool used to coordinate with SMEs, stakeholders, and project teams.
Provenance
The evidence base behind this profile — every layer is sourced; quality is scored by an adversarial review panel (1–5; passes at ≥4 on the minimum dimension).
10 sources
- O*NET 25-9031.00 Instructional Coordinators
- O*NET 25-9031.01 Instructional Designers and Technologists (retired)
- BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
- Northeastern University faculty lead
- IBM Principal Instructional Designer job posting
- ATD / CPTD / APTD certifications
- Certified Instructional Designer/Developer (CIDD) from ISET
- eLearning Guild eLearning Instructional Design Certificate
- Articulate certifications
- Current job postings
Level — P1 — Entry-Level Professional
New to role or field; performs basic tasks under supervision
- Scope
- Own tasks within a defined component
- Autonomy
- Close supervision; work reviewed frequently
- Complexity
- Routine problems with known solutions
- Impact
- Own deliverables
- Decision rights
- Few independent decisions; escalates the rest
- Leadership
- None — building the craft
- Typical experience
- 0–2 yrs
Adjacent roles
Nearest roles by structural coordinates (level + taxonomy). Distance 0 → 1; each carries its 3-state match band. How coordinates work → · Compare side-by-side →
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O*NET / SOC
- code=25-9031source=jfm-factory.resolve