the simulation development process from discovery to delivery and all point in between christopher...

The Simulation Development Process

From Discovery to Delivery and all point in between

Christopher KeeseyProject Manager

Ohio University Without Boundaries

Where do I start?

Identify a project manager!

Identify and Document Your Process

Gather RequirementsGather Requirements

Requirements define the ultimate goal of the project and hopefully how to best meet the needs of the end user or participant.

Simple Requirements Template(.doc)

Choose your Platform of Delivery

Now, Given the info in your requirements doc, Choose your poison…

Other…

What Competencies Will You NeedDecide what competencies

will be critical to completion of the project?

Instructional Designer

SME

Audio Engineer

Programmer

Illustrators/Animator

Graphic Designer

Voice Talent

$$$Instructional Designer

SME

Audio Engineer

Programmer

Illustrators/Animator

Graphic Designer

Voice Talent

=$ $ $

Leverage your in-house abilities. Be creative about your outsourcing

• Employee training over outsourcing for long-term investment. Extend your employee’s skills with applicable training.• Pre-packaged solutions if they meet requirements

• Negotiate with vendors and/or contractors. Compare shop and don’t always accept first quote.

The OUWB Production Team

In-house roles - covered by 4 individuals

Outsourced

Instructional Design

Graphic Design/flash Programming -- Trained in-house designer in action scripting

Audio Production -- Utilized in-house designer competency in audio production

Voice Over Talent -- Unit Director performance experience leveraged

Backend/Database Programming

Character Illustration/Animation -- Purchased Oddcast license for animated character solution

This ain’t Disney

vHost Studio

Second Life Machinima

Solid Animators are hard to find.

Life is a process. We are a process. The universe is a

process.

Anne Wilson Schaef

Keeping the process manageable

User focusDesign / Development MustsDesign / Development Musts

• User focused design! User test throughout.

Wire frameDesign / Development MustsDesign / Development Musts

• User focused design! User test throughout.• Wireframe after requirements defined

Design compsDesign / Development MustsDesign / Development Musts

• User focused design! User test throughout.• Wireframe after requirements defined• Design theme “Comps” Comp Examples

DeadlinesDesign / Development MustsDesign / Development Musts

• User focused design! User test throughout.• Wireframe after requirements defined• Design theme “Comps”• Deadlines / Milestones Timeline Template(.xls)

StoryboardDesign / Development MustsDesign / Development Musts

• User focused design! User test throughout.• Wireframe after requirements defined• Design theme “Comps”• Deadlines / Milestones Timeline Template(.xls)

• Storyboard Simulation flow

Locked cutDesign / Development MustsDesign / Development Musts

• User focused design! User test throughout.• Wireframe after requirements defined• Design theme “Comps”• Deadlines / Milestones Timeline Template(.xls)

• Storyboard Simulation flow• “Locked cut” before audio work

Test moreDesign / Development MustsDesign / Development Musts

• User focused design! User test throughout.• Wireframe after requirements defined• Design theme “Comps”• Deadlines / Milestones Timeline Template(.xls)

• Storyboard Simulation flow• “Locked cut” before audio work• Test, Test, Test

Design by committeeDesign Don'tsDesign Don'ts

• Design by committee

Design to user, Not feasibilityDesign Don'tsDesign Don'ts

• Design by committee• Designing to feasibility

Avoid “I thinks”Design Don'tsDesign Don'ts

• Design by committee• Designing to feasibility• Avoid “I thinks” and “I feels” beyond theme comp phase. Base changes on user test data

Brave New WorldIt’s a brave new world…It’s a brave new world…

A culture that fosters an efficient production process holds the key to producing the quantity and quality of learning experiences to allow an institution to continue to compete in the distance learning marketplace.