Track 3: Defining A Solution

(From the series 'How I Approach Solutioning')

Description

Defining a solution is more than simply designing a nice-looking or even strong training program. We aim to craft a strategy that actually addresses the business problem and uses the opportunities for value creation that we’ve uncovered in the previous stages. This involves understanding the key components of the problem, selecting the right type of intervention, appropriate teaching methodology (if one's needed), identifying necessary performance support …and integrating everything into the larger organisational framework without causing chaos! It's like putting together a jigsaw so everything actually fits.

Elements in a solution

Defining the teaching method

Trendy isn’t good enough. The teaching method must align with both, the content and the learner’s needs—and how they’ll actually use what they’re learning in real life. That means thinking beyond knowledge transfer: we want skills, application, and performance that last. And yes, we need to figure out how we’ll measure those as well.

Practical tip: Choose approaches and methods based on learners' present reality and immediate needs. For example, is hands-on practice required, do learners really need deeper conceptual grounding?

?

Defining performance support

Training shouldn’t end with a module or course. Performance support ensures that people continue to have access to tools and resources that help them draw on what they’ve learned or already know, when it matters. From simple job aids (PDFs or checklists) to more advanced digital tools (like custom apps or web-based systems), performance support is all about keeping knowledge and skills activated in the real world.

Practical tip: Don’t overcomplicate things. Choose tools or resources to provide the most effective and timely support you can. Simpler and intelligently designed is better than pointlessly flashy.

?

Holistic approach to the larger system/environment

Great solutions don’t live in isolation. They need to be part of the larger system and integrate with existing workflows. A solution that doesn’t work well with the company’s culture, tools, and processes is like trying to force a square peg into a round hole. Consider deployment plans, feedback and ongoing support mechanisms—these are all vital to the solution’s long-term success.

Practical Tip: Ensure the solution is practical and viable for the organisation’s culture, values, technology and business systems.

Useful capabilities

• Grasp of different teaching and scaffolding methods, knowing when and how to apply them effectively
• Systems thinking and the ability to align solutions with broader organisational needs, metrics and business drivers
• Practical design and execution knowledge of various kinds of solutions, improvements and ways to boost efficiency, outcomes and quality
• Business knowledge of operational costs, processes, dependencies and margins

Exploring possible questions

What’s the difference between defining a solution and just designing a training?

Defining a solution means addressing the business problem holistically and not just assuming the problem is one for which training is the answer. For example, your solution may be only a web tool that provides an easier way to navigate voluminous information than any teaching. (And that's absolutely fine if it solves the problem!)

What if my solution doesn’t seem to fit into the current organisational system?

That’s a red flag unless you’ve been given any indication that the system is changing and your solution will need to fit the proposed system than the current one. Real solutions align with existing workflows, processes, and culture. If it doesn’t fit, it’s time to re-ideate.

What’s a teaching method?

It’s far more than media design promises or vague assertions of engagement. It’s how we structure the learning experience, for example, role-plays, simulations or problem-solving scenarios. And merely invoking a method guarantees nothing, we also must know how to level up and level down for teaching at different levels of complexity.

I know some methods from observation, how can I keep learning more?

Great question! Work on diverse projects, study theory from different fields to do with teaching and learning, learn from seasoned practitioners. Real-world exposure is key to refining our craft.

Ugh, theory and academic writing again! Do I have to?!

I strongly recommend it. Start with digestible sources and work your way up. Empower yourself—learn how to learn, how to handle that kind of reading. Over time, it’ll get much easier and you’ll reap the massive benefits. Promise! :)

Doing it better

Which level of design to pick – L1, L2 or Ln?

The levels of design are a shorthand for cost and complexity of training design (non-training elements tend to need custom pricing). But! There are no standardised definitions of what these levels mean, so don’t think of them as a fixed menu. Design levels guide us on project implementation constraints / scope rather than the core direction of the solution.

So, first, ideate the solution in detail. Come up with the purpose of the medium, interactivity or element, and not merely that you will use it.

Then see which level is the closest fit, considering your organisation's definitions of the levels. You may then want to tweak elements of your solution accordingly for a better match or come up with pricing tweaks. Just remember you’re designing for impact rather than compliance with levels of design. ?

How do I know the formula for pricing?

Each company calculates the cost differently, mostly based on its function-wise productivity. Ask your organisation for its estimates as well as costing considerations (how much is paid to vendors, markup percentages, assumptions and so on). With time, you can always offer finetuning, your estimates of efforts, etc.

Tips for stronger solutioning

• Take a multidisciplinary approach: Great solutions don’t come from only instructional design; Pull in knowledge from other areas—technology, graphic design, curriculum design theory, user experience, management studies, etc. A broader perspective leads to better, more effective solutions.
• Value creation doesn’t ‘just’ happen. Coming up with a solution is a good start, but you can always do more: see how to reduce costs, boost efficiencies in the project. Also see if there are larger aspects the client may benefit from, like capturing and making accessible institutional knowledge.
• Don’t be shackled by the initial set of learning objectives: Often, reworking the initial learning goals can result in more impactful solutions. Elevating objectives to tie in more strongly with desired business outcomes can be part of the design process and value addition we provide.
• Focus on substance, not just form: Design is about solving real problems for real people. It’s not about fitting content into templates or using the latest tools. Crafting a meaningful solution means making purposeful choices, like even using each medium purposefully. It’s about ensuring that every part of the solution at every stage contributes to learning and improving business performance.

• Challenge the status quo: Don’t rely on "standard" or “obvious” solutions. Creativity in solutions is not about the graphics, stories or animations: it’s a lot in the caliber of analysis and framing. Every project is unique, and it’s crucial to think critically to develop tailored approaches that address specific business needs.
• Own the solution: While collaboration is key, instructional designers must take ownership of the solution, providing clear direction and ensuring the solution is defined from start to finish. A common pitfall is lacking any instructional strategy to make the course interesting and instead passing that responsibility off to graphic design without offering any insights, framing or strategy.

Let's wrap this up with a quick summary of stronger solutioning:

Other articles in this series:

• Solutioning vs TNA - Yes, There Is a Difference!
• Track 1: Understanding the Ask
• Track 2: Problem Framing

#Solutioning #Consulting #ProblemSolving #EffectiveSolutioning #TrainingDesign #LearningConsultant #ValueCreation #ValueChain #Strategy #PerformanceSupport