Planning
Plan backward from the target role. Write objectives. Choose evidence. Map activities to evidence. Produce a handoff package for collaborative development between the developer and director of instructional design.
UbD Planning Framework
Stage 1: Identify Desired Results
What does success look like in the real world? Define what learners should be able to do by the end of the module. Focus on the workplace, not just the classroom.
Define role outcome and constraints
- Start with the target role learners will simulate. Identify the primary tasks they'll perform, tools they'll use, and constraints they'll work within.
- Target role (e.g., IT Support Technician, Junior Developer)
- Primary tasks (3-5 core responsibilities)
- Tools and platforms they'll use
- Time constraints and deadlines
- Key performance indicators (KPIs)
Write learning objectives with Bloom verbs
- Create 3 to 5 specific, observable learning objectives using Bloom's taxonomy verbs.
- 3 to 5 objectives maximum
- Each uses an observable Bloom verb (analyze, create, troubleshoot, configure)
- Each describes a workplace-relevant skill
- Each can be assessed in 30 minutes or less
Stage 2: Determine Acceptable Evidence
How will you know they're ready? Plan how to check that learners are building the right skills. Use assessments that reflect actual job expectations—not just academic ones.
Choose assessments that prove each objective
- Select assessment types that directly measure each objective. Mix knowledge checks, skills-based assessments, and real-world deliverables.
- KBA (Knowledge-Based Assessment) for foundational concepts
- SBA (Skills-Based Assessment) for hands-on tasks
- Case study for complex problem-solving
- Deliverable type (report, presentation, configuration)
- Scoring idea (rubric, checklist, peer review)
Stage 3: Plan the Learning Experience
What will learners actually do each day? Map out the day-to-day experience. Build out how learners will move from not knowing to doing, while staying grounded in the workplace context.
Map learning activities that lead to each assessment
- Design activities that build toward each assessment. Include slides for context, demos for modeling, and labs for practice.
- Slides (context, concepts, examples)
- Demos (instructor modeling of skills)
- Labs (hands-on practice with feedback)
- Discussions (peer learning, problem-solving)
- Time box (realistic durations)
- Materials (tools, environments, references)
Draft the simulation frame
- Create the workplace simulation structure that will run throughout the module. Define team dynamics, communication patterns, and escalation processes.
- Team lead rotation (who manages each day)
- Stand-ups (daily check-ins, status updates)
- Ticket source (where work comes from)
- KPIs (how success is measured)
- Escalation path (when to ask for help)
Planning Example: Hardware Components and Safety
Module 134: Complete Planning Example
Here's how we planned a module for IT Support Technicians, showing the complete flow from planning to development.
Stage 1: Desired Results
- Job Role: Junior IT Technician at TechCorp
- Real Tasks: "Identify hardware components, follow safety protocols, troubleshoot basic issues"
- Learning Objectives: "Identify core computer hardware components by sight and function"
- Essential Question: "How do IT technicians safely handle and identify hardware components?"
Stage 2: Assessment Evidence
- KBA: "Multiple choice questions on component identification and safety protocols"
- SBA Lab: "Hands-on component identification in realistic inventory scenario"
- Case Study: "Client consultation where learners diagnose hardware problems"
Stage 3: Learning Experience
- Day 1: "You're starting your shift and need to inventory new hardware components"
- Day 2: "Safety inspection reveals damaged components that need identification"
- Day 3: "Client calls with hardware issues - you need to troubleshoot and recommend solutions"
Planning Template
Required Planning Sections
Every curriculum plan must include these sections to facilitate collaborative development between the developer and director of instructional design.
Module Overview
- Module title and UCI code
- Total duration and section breakdown
- Target role and workplace context
- Primary learning objectives (3-5 maximum)
Assessment Strategy
- Assessment types (KBA, SBA, case study, deliverable)
- Success criteria and scoring methods
- Coverage mapping (which objective each assessment measures)
- Timing and retake policies
Activity Map
- Section-by-section breakdown with durations
- Activity types (slides, demos, labs, discussions)
- Materials and tools required
- Prerequisites and dependencies
Simulation Frame
- Workplace context and role definition
- Team structure and communication patterns
- KPIs and performance tracking
- Escalation paths and support systems
Source Materials
- Links to existing content or references
- Templates or examples to follow
- Any specific requirements or constraints
Example: Complete Onboarding Plan
See a comprehensive example of a well-structured curriculum plan with all required sections.
Reference Documents
- Planned Document Example - Example of a well-structured planned document
- Example planning documents are also available in the PS ID Companion GPT for reference
- Shows proper structure: overview, objectives, assessments, activities, simulation frame
- Demonstrates the level of detail needed for effective collaborative development
Tools to Help You Plan
Use these tools to streamline the collaborative planning process, generate prompts, and capture the module plan. If the plan is ready, the development team can proceed to the next development phase.
PS ID Companion GPT
- Step-by-step AI guidance for module planning. Get reasoning, suggestions, and full prompt generation.
Launch PS ID Companion GPT (opens in ChatGPT)
Prompt Builder
- Quickly generate a custom planning prompt by filling in a few fields.
Use the Prompt Builder
Next, the development team will use the planning document to create slides, labs, case studies, and assessments through collaborative development between the developer and director of instructional design.
Development Path Selection
Custom Development
Create new curriculum from scratch, with full control over content, simulation design, and delivery.
- New program development.
- Unique industry requirements.
- Specialized learning outcomes.
- Full customization needs.
Vendor Curriculum Integration
Adapt and enhance existing vendor content to meet Per Scholas standards and integrate into our simulation model.
- Industry-certified content.
- Vendor partnerships.
- Rapid deployment needs.
- Standardized certifications.
Need support with planning?
- Join our weekly curriculum development sync.
- Schedule a planning session with an instructional lead.
- Access planning templates and examples from our resource library.