Not every
instructional design project will yield the same level of cost savings, but the
focus should be on improving human performance and addressing instructional
problems. Instructional designers approach course design by first defining the
problem and identifying the knowledge and skills needed to solve it, rather
than just covering content. This approach ensures that the course is focused on
what the learner "needs to know" and avoids including nonessential
content that is merely "nice to know". The example
demonstrates how instructional design can lead to significant improvements in
course quality and efficiency by focusing on essential content and eliminating
irrelevant material.