When you hire a vendor to create custom eLearning, it’s easy to think, “Great! They’ll take it from here.” But the truth is, as the client, you play a vital role in the success of the project. Your input, decisions, and feedback are critical to the success of the learning experience.

Think of custom eLearning production as a partnership. The vendor brings expertise in instructional design and development, while you bring the vision, the knowledge, and the authority to steer things in the right direction.

Here’s what you can expect to do as a client in a custom eLearning development project.

Define the big picture.

Every Learning experience needs a clear destination. As the client, you’ll set the direction by answering questions like:

  • Who is the audience?
  • What problem should this eLearning solve?
  • What do learners need to be able to do after completing it?
  • How will you know it was successful?

This clarity keeps everyone focused and prevents wasting time on work that doesn’t serve your goals.

Share content and expertise.

Your vendor knows how to turn information into engaging learning. Still, they don’t know your business like you do. They rely on you to:

  • Provide source materials (manuals, policies, presentations, recordings).
  • Connect the vendor’s team with subject matter experts (SMEs).
  • Help explain technical details or organizational processes that need to be included in the training but aren’t obvious to outsiders.

While your vendor will design and build the actual course, they can’t do it without the raw material you supply.

Make timely decisions.

Custom eLearning production moves in stages. Here at Illumina Interactive, our typical process involves content documents, storyboards, alpha and beta versions, and final delivery. At each step, you’ll review and approve. Prompt feedback keeps things moving; slow or unclear decisions can stall a project quickly.

Join the check-ins.

Expect regular project meetings or status calls. These aren’t just for updates. They’re your chance to:

  • Confirm that the work is headed in the right direction.
  • Raise concerns before they become bigger issues.
  • Build momentum and partnership with the vendor.

Review deliverables thoughtfully.

Your review role goes beyond proofreading. Share your internal style or editorial guides with your vendor, but know that, ultimately, you’re the guardian of:

  • Accuracy in terminology, procedures, and policies.
  • Alignment with your brand voice and style.
  • Compliance with industry or organizational standards.

Coordinate stakeholder approvals.

Often, more than one person in your organization needs to weigh in. It’s up to you to manage those internal stakeholders. This keeps the process efficient and avoids conflicting directions.

 

Keep the course on-brand and compliant.

You’ll need to provide brand assets (logos, colors, fonts) and share any accessibility or compliance requirements. The vendor can help implement them, but you’re responsible for making sure nothing gets missed.

Provide or approve media.

Custom eLearning typically features photos, video, graphics, and audio. Be ready to:

  • Supply company images or footage.
  • Approve stock visuals suggested by the vendor.
  • Review custom eLearning graphics provided by the vendor.
  • Confirm usage rights for anything you provide.

Plan the launch.

Once the eLearning is ready, you’ll decide:

  • Where it will live (LMS, website, etc.)
  • What format you need (SCORM, xAPI, or something else)
  • How it will be tested and rolled out to learners

Lead the rollout and adoption.

Great eLearning won’t have impact if nobody knows about it. Part of your role is championing the launch by:

  • Letting learners know the course is coming and why it matters.
  • Empowering managers to encourage and reinforce participation.
  • Making sure the eLearning fits into your overall training strategy.

Bring the pieces together.

Custom eLearning production works best when both the client and the vendor lean into their roles. The vendor brings creative and technical expertise. You bring vision, knowledge, and leadership. When those pieces come together, the result is a custom eLearning course that looks great, works smoothly, and truly makes a difference for your learners.