I need to budget for 2 hours of web-based training. A few years ago, the benchmark for traditional computer-based training was 200 hours of development time for one finished hour. Does this still fit? Is the development cost of CBT different than for online training? If so, higher or lower? I recognize that there are lots of variables that affect the cost including type of media used, complexity of the program and level of interactivity, cost of technology, degree to which content exists, etc. When these variables are unknown, what do you use for budgeting purposes? I'd appreciate any guidance available.

You would normally use an effort-estimator tool to budget for any kind of training.

I just chanced upon this site that proffered an overview of how to estimate the amount of effort based on the complexity of the content,
maturity of the technology and skills available.

sorry I couldn't paste the site in the response box earlier:
http://portal.etsi.org/mbs/planning/estimating.asp

Of course the time and cost vary depending on the complexity of the course and what media elements are used, such as voiceovers, 3D animation, and video.

As a general rule, use 200 to 400 hrs per hour of seat time, and $10,000 to $35,000 per seat hour for outsourced custom development.

200 hours is not much. One could convert an existing Powerpoint or ILT to a "somewhat" interactive course with little or no voiceover in 200 hours.

Sheldon Murphy
E-Learning Consultant
Solid State Learning
www.sslearn.com
sheldon@sslearn.com

HiJill Kennedy,

Good day to you

The effort aproximation by you ir correct. Approximately it will take about 200-400 hours depending on the complexsion.

The cost will be approximately $14000 to 18000 as we develop this in our offshore at Bangalore/India .

You can also visit our wesbite www.tarangtech.com
Thanks
M.Srikanth
srikanthm@tarangtech.com
786-272-1818