Pricing a Rapid e-Learning Course??

[rxmeds]

I just received an RFP (my first) to develop a “rapid” e-learning course for a healthcare client (an overview of the cardiovascular system).

The specs include a “seat” time of about 20 minutes with text, audio, illustrations and a 10 question “Mastery Check.”

I’m not sure how come up with a quote. Are there any “standard” guidelines I should follow? Can anyone point me to any info or share some advice that might be helpful?

[DavidAnderson]

Hi rxmeds - Congratulations on your first RFP!

You said the project is an overview so that helps a little. Have you been developing courses for a while? As you understand this project (overview of cardiovascular system) how long will it take you to design and develop the course?

For projects I have a good handle on and with clients that have a strong idea of what they want, I usually go with a fixed price range ($x - $xx). This gives the client a minimum and maximum cost.

For unique projects or those that are less defined, hourly is usually best for me. I don't want to lock in a price while the client figures out what they want.

Do you have enough development experience and understanding of the project to provide and estimated number of hours for the project?

[rxmeds]

Hi Dave,

Thanks for your reply. I've developed a bunch of written modules on the CV system so designing the course won't be problem (I think).

This would be my first, though, in Presenter. Bottom line, I guess, is that I have no idea how long it would take. My client just got promoted into the training department from field sales. I'm not sure she's locked-in to exactly what she wants/expects either.

Might be better to quote, at this point, per hour of development time. Do you have any suggestions as to what the "going rate" is/should be for this type of project?

[Patrick_J]

You do bring up an interesting point. What do you charge for an elearning course?

I've created courses for non-profits and charged them less than a $1K, because I wanted the business and fit my course to their budget. On the other hand, a current large corporation (F500) I'm doing work for now bought a course for $7500.

In this current situation we develop courses and purchase courses. Internally it costs us about $5K to $7K to develop a 15-20 min course, with some interactive QM's through out, and a short assessment at the end. In this cost, probably only half of it is real development cost. The other half is the "meeting" aspect of with the corporate powers that be and negotiating exactly what the course will be about.

The courses we purchase are usually compliance based ones, and that jumps our cost to $10K to $15K. Interestingly, these are usually complete page turners.

For an average 15-20 minute course we budget:
$300-$500 for voice over, depending on the talent we use.
New assets (if needed) are about $200.
Field testing (to make sure it works) is $200-$300.

Hope that gives you some idea. Happy building.

[davebarthel]

Hello,

Just a quick note - as a new Articulate user I requested help regarding how long it takes people to complete a course (start to finish) and received a lot of helpful advice! Here is a link to the thread about how long it can take to complete a standard course (like the one you are developing). I think if you have a good idea of how long it will take to to have the course completed, and you have a good idea in your head of what you need to make, then you can base your RFP on those factors. Good luck and congrats!

Here is the thread about how long it takes to develop a course: Time to create course?

[rxmeds]

Thanks so much for your help, Dave.

[wtimmerman]

what is most common? to offer the course separately as well as the hosting? Or include the hosting?

[rxmeds]

Wrong guy to ask. You should probably start a new post. Sorry I couldn't be more helpful.

[DavidAnderson]

@davebarthel - thanks for posting that link. That was a good thread.

@wtimmerman - I'd say for most elearning, the client provides their own hosting, usually through an LMS provider. With that, now that more small businesses are using tools like Articulate to create their training and marketing, I can see non-LMS hosted solutions, similar to web sites, being more common. It's not a bad idea to be prepared to offer up a quote for hosting.

[rxmeds]

Can you elaborate/expand on how I can offer "non-LMS hosted solutions."