ISD Introduction

Although there are many approaches to training, this module will present the concepts of Instructional Systems Development (ISD). ISD, originally developed under the auspices of the Department of Defense, is widely used not only by the military, but also by corporations and Federal agencies. ISD is particularly well suited for complex systems training development, as it is derived from the Systems Engineering process of which Human Factors forms a part. ISD is characterized by its logical, structured approach and emphasis on trainee job performance. The goal of ISD is to increase the effectiveness and cost-efficiency of training by:

• Developing instruction based on job performance requirements,
• Eliminating irrelevant skills and knowledge instruction from courses, and
• Ensuring trainees acquire the skills, knowledge, and attitudes to do the job.