Instructional Design Consultant
An Instructional Design Consultant is an experienced learning professional who partners with organizations to analyze performance needs, design effective learning solutions, and guide the development of training that drives measurable business outcomes.
Unlike a traditional instructional designer who may focus primarily on course creation, an instructional design consultant works at a more strategic level, helping organizations determine what training is needed, why it’s needed, and how it should be delivered.
What Does an Instructional Design Consultant Do?
Instructional design consultants typically support organizations by:
- Conducting needs assessments to identify performance gaps
- Consulting with stakeholders to align learning with business goals
- Recommending appropriate solutions (training, performance support, process changes, etc.)
- Designing learning experiences (eLearning, instructor-led training, blended programs)
- Creating design strategies, storyboards, and learning architectures
- Advising on tools, technologies, and learning platforms
- Measuring the effectiveness and impact of training programs
In many cases, they also help organizations avoid unnecessary training by identifying when a non-training solution would be more effective.
When Do Companies Hire an
Instructional Design Consultant?
Organizations often bring in instructional design consultants when:
- They have more projects than internal resources can support
- A project requires specialized expertise (e.g., leadership development, sales enablement, systems training)
- They need an objective, outside perspective on a learning challenge
- Training initiatives must be aligned more closely to business performance and measurable outcomes
- There is a need to design or redesign large-scale or high-impact programs
Instructional Design Consultant vs.
Instructional Design Contractor
While the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, there are important differences:
Instructional Design Consultant
- Focuses on strategy and problem-solving
- Engages in stakeholder conversations and performance analysis
- Recommends the right solution, which may or may not be training
- Often influences learning strategy, structure, and approach
- Brings a consultative mindset to the engagement
Instructional Design Contractor
- Typically focused on execution and deliverables
- Builds content based on defined requirements
- May have limited involvement in upfront analysis or strategic decisions
- Often works within an existing framework or direction
- Brings a production-oriented skill set
Both roles are valuable, and many professionals can operate in both capacities. The distinction largely depends on the scope of the engagement and the expectations of the role.
Why This Distinction Matters
Understanding the difference between a consultant and a contractor helps organizations:
- Choose the right type of support for their needs
- Avoid misalignment between expectations and deliverables
- Ensure that learning solutions are not only well-built—but also well-designed for impact
In practice, organizations often start with an instructional design consultant to define the solution, then bring in instructional design contractors or eLearning developers to support large-scale development.
See also: Instructional Design Contractor, Instructional Design Services, Instructional Designer
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Frequently Asked Questions About Instructional Design Consultants
What is an instructional design consultant?
An instructional design consultant is a learning professional who helps organizations identify performance gaps, design effective learning solutions, and align training initiatives with business goals. They typically work at both a strategic and execution level, ensuring that learning solutions drive measurable results.
When should a company hire an instructional design consultant?
Companies typically hire an instructional design consultant when they need help defining a learning strategy, solving a performance problem, or designing a high-impact training program. This is especially common when internal teams are at capacity or when specialized expertise is required.
Do instructional design consultants only create training?
No. Instructional design consultants often recommend solutions beyond training, such as job aids, performance support tools, process improvements, or coaching strategies depending on what will best address the performance need.
What skills should an instructional design consultant have?
Strong instructional design consultants typically have skills in needs analysis, learning design, stakeholder consulting, project management, and measurement. Many also have experience with eLearning tools, facilitation, and learning technologies.
