Rank: Forum user 
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How long does it take to write course material? I know this is a bit like asking "how long is a piece of string" but I was just wondering what figures people use? I'm thinking of courses such as certificate level and managing safely type courses and whether there is any standard view that it is likely to take x hours per teaching hour. eg for a 1 day (6 hour) course what would you expect it to take in preparation. I'm presuming the writer does already have an understanding and knowledge of the material to be delivered.
DW
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Rank: New forum user
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I tend to find a short presentation (half hour or so) on a topic I'm familiar with will take a couple of hours to put togther. A longer course where I need to think about how sessions will flow one to the other, what excercises to use where, when people will need breaks etc will take about 1/2 day to a day per hour of teaching. Most of this time is spent not on the 'content' but more on how it can best be presented.
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Rank: Forum user
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Hi,
If its a new topic you haven't presented before I'd give yourself plenty of prep time. The basics are easy but how can you best present it, grab their attention, fully engage the trainees, make it memorable, what props will you use, any video/audio clips, case law; you'll need time to research latest info regarding the topic, to find out before hand background of the trainees and their specific interests/requirements/job roles, decide on aims and objectives, how will you measure whether these have been achieved, decide what they will do i.e. practical activities because after 15 min or so some will switch off if its just you talking, write out a lesson plan. I usually allow about 5 hours for each hour of training but a short training session can take longer as its difficult to decide what to leave out.
Regards
Steve
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Rank: Forum user 
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Allow 4 hours preparation per teaching hour.
Regards
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Many years ago I was on a presentation skills course and the trainer was, in my opinion, one of the very best speakers and trainers I have ever encountered. He stated that he allocated 8 hours of preparation for every 1 hour's delivery. I didn't believe him at the time but in the intervening period I have experienced a variety of training courses and presentations, some good, some dire but very few excellent.
Maybe he had it right!
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Rank: Forum user
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Thanks for all the replies. I've previously used the 4 to 1 rule but recently was challenged on this by a client who wanted to pay only 6 hours prep for a 6 hour course so I was keen to check that I was in the right area. I'd quite understand how it could take 8 hours prep to one hour teaching for some courses and especially if you are going the extra mile to make it the best training course possible. Unfortunately I can't see many clients willing to pay this.
It will be interesting to see if this client still comes back for me to do the work at 4 to 1 rate.
Thanks again for the feedback.
David
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Don't forget to add in 10 years experience - or if you're as long in the tooth as I am, almost 40 years!
That is where the course value really is, and your clients need a reminder about that in order to assure them they're getting real value for money.
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Rank: Forum user
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Good point well made Ian, and one often forgotten by both client and consultant I believe.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Not by me, especially when billing!
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