What is the best way to determine the appropriate level of technical detail for training materials?

Technical training materials are essential for teaching complex skills and concepts, but how do you decide how much detail to include? Too much detail can overwhelm and confuse learners, while too little detail can leave them with gaps and questions. In this article, you will learn how to determine the appropriate level of technical detail for your training materials based on four factors: the audience, the objectives, the delivery method, and the feedback.

1 Audience analysis

The first factor to consider is the audience of your training materials. Who are they, what do they already know, and what do they need to learn? Depending on the level of prior knowledge and experience of your learners, you may need to adjust the amount and depth of technical detail in your materials. For example, if you are training beginners, you may need to explain basic terms and concepts, provide examples and analogies, and avoid jargon and acronyms. On the other hand, if you are training experts, you may need to focus on advanced topics, provide evidence and references, and use technical language and notation.

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Andreea Pelea

E-learning specialist / Instructional designer, Technical Writer
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I have seen a lot of how-to-videos that describe how to perform an action dedicated to advanced users that "waste a lot of time" explaining how to delete a file or something extremely simple, targeted for beginners. Out of a 30-minute course dedicated to advanced learners, you can cut 15 minutes dedicated to beginners. It's frustrating to see something like that; analysing your audience is the most important step in creating a successful training material.

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Veit Ewert

Industrie Designer; Projekt Manager & Trainer
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Oft variiert der Kenntnisstand in Schulung. In Präsensschulungen ist es wichtig die Reaktionen der Teilnehmer in Ausdrücken und Gesten zu lesen und sich darauf einzustimmen. Teile der Schulung sollten mit unterschiedlichen Beispielen vorbereitet sein, um mit diesen unterschiedlichen Anforderungen gerecht zu werden.

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Rita Chaudhury, CPC

Alumni of ISB on Advanced Strategic Management, Alumni of Goldman Sachs and Indian Institute of Management Bangalore
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I do agree. Target audience’s level of knowledge and requirements should be considered at the time of preparing the trainning material, otherwise it’s a waste of time and resources for both the parties, audiences and the trainer.

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2 Objective alignment

The second factor to consider is the objective of your training materials. What are you trying to achieve, and what are the learning outcomes and assessment criteria? Depending on the purpose and scope of your training, you may need to vary the level of technical detail in your materials. For example, if you are training for awareness or comprehension, you may need to provide a general overview and highlight the key points and principles. On the other hand, if you are training for application or analysis, you may need to provide more specific and detailed instructions and examples.

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Veit Ewert

Industrie Designer; Projekt Manager & Trainer
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Für den Trainer ist es wichtig sich in der Vorbereitung selbst genau zu fragen, welches Wissen möchte ich mit einem Beispiel einer Folie transportieren. Was ins die Aussage die vermittelt wird und welchen Nutzen hat der Teilnehmer davon?

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3 Delivery method

The third factor to consider is the delivery method of your training materials. How are you going to present and distribute your materials, and what are the limitations and opportunities of the format? Depending on the type and mode of your training, you may need to adapt the level of technical detail in your materials. For example, if you are delivering a live or recorded lecture, you may need to limit the amount of technical detail and use visual aids and verbal explanations. On the other hand, if you are providing a written or online document, you may need to include more technical detail and use tables, graphs, and code blocks .

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4 Feedback loop

The fourth factor to consider is the feedback loop of your training materials. How are you going to collect and incorporate feedback from your learners and stakeholders, and how are you going to measure and improve the effectiveness of your materials? Depending on the sources and methods of feedback, you may need to revise the level of technical detail in your materials. For example, if you receive comments or questions from your learners that indicate confusion or curiosity, you may need to add or remove technical detail accordingly. On the other hand, if you conduct surveys or tests that measure learning outcomes and satisfaction, you may need to adjust the level of technical detail based on the results.

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5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Veit Ewert

Industrie Designer; Projekt Manager & Trainer
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Ich unterlege Schulungsinhalte möglichst oft mit Beispielen aus anderen Bereichen die meine Teilnehmer gut kennen (Beispiel Straßenverkehr). Dies verbessert das Verständnis und erhöht den Erinnerungsfaktor nach der Schulung.

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What is the best way to determine the appropriate level of technical detail for training materials?

1

2

3

4

5

1 Audience analysis

2 Objective alignment

3 Delivery method

4 Feedback loop

5 Here’s what else to consider

Training

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What is the best way to determine the appropriate level of technical detail for training materials?

1

2

3

4

5

1 Audience analysis

2 Objective alignment

3 Delivery method

4 Feedback loop

5 Here’s what else to consider

Training

Rate this article

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