Good instructional design starts with knowing who you’re designing for

Too many trainings skip over learner analysis which leads to poor engagement & low results.

Why Learner Analysis is Step One

• Overview of why understanding learner context, prior knowledge, and motivation is critical (cite Lovett et al. or adult learning theory).

• Briefly mention your approach: how you centered the Field Specialists as your audience.

Adult Learners Are Not K-12 Learners

• List adult learning principles you prioritized (e.g., relevance, autonomy, self-directed learning, flexibility).

• Real example: explain how you used asynchronous design for field specialists’ schedules.

How Learner-First Design Drives Results

• Talk about how aligning content to job realities increases buy-in and reduces cognitive overload.

• Example: scenario-based activities in your Canon project to promote real-world application.

Practical Tips for Putting Learners First

• Offer 3–5 quick strategies any instructional designer can use (ex: interview stakeholders, use reflection activities, design for autonomy).

At the end of the day, great instructional design is not about the content—it’s about the learner. By taking the time to understand who you’re designing for, what they already know, and what they need to be successful, you build training that feels relevant, respectful, and actionable. My experience designing the Competency Survey Training for Canon’s Field Specialists reinforced this truth: when you center the learner, everything else falls into place.

Whether you’re working with busy professionals in the field or onboarding new hires, applying adult learning principles and conducting a thoughtful learner analysis will elevate your work and drive stronger outcomes. Learner-first design isn’t just a philosophy—it’s the key to designing learning that sticks.