How long does it take to build impactful learning? (And how to cut weeks off your timeline)

From drafting slides to chasing sign-offs, creating quality learning is rarely an overnight job – especially if you’re developing a jazzy multimedia campaign.

With so many stages involved, it can take days – sometimes weeks – to create effective eLearning, even for experienced teams. And if you’re just getting started, the process can take longer still, particularly when you’re getting up to speed with new tools and refining your approach.

So how long does it actually take to build impactful learning? And, more importantly, where can you streamline without compromising on quality? Here’s how the process unfolds.

How long does it take to create a piece of eLearning?

There’s no fixed timeframe for developing eLearning. But a widely used rule of thumb is that it takes roughly 40 to 50 hours to build a 60-minute course. That’s a significant amount of work behind just an hour of learning.

Of course, this is only an estimate. The true timeline depends on a range of factors, including the tools you’re using, the length and complexity of the content, SME input, review cycles and sign-off processes. And then there’s experience to consider: are you a seasoned pro or are you starting from square one?

The best way to scope out a realistic timeframe is to block out stages of the process and allocate hours (or days) needed for each step. Factor in extra time for potential bottlenecks and unexpected issues – and, if you’re new to in-house instructional design, allow for the learning curve too. After all, it’s far better to deliver early than to miss the deadline.

Where the time goes

1. Get your plan in place

Every great piece of learning starts in the same place: the all-important planning stage. Before diving into the fun visual parts of instructional design – such as video and quizzes – you need a clear game plan.

Block time realistically for the early stages, because a rushed start here will cost you later. Planning isn’t glamorous, but it’s the phase that keeps your course on track – and saves hours down the line.

Key planning-stage time considerations:

• Stakeholder alignment: Scheduling kick-offs, clarifying goals and agreeing scope.
• Defining learning objectives: Writing and refining outcomes that guide the course.
• Resource gathering: Collecting existing materials, research and SME input – allowing buffer time for complex topics.
• Content mapping: Structuring modules, lessons and key learning moments before the build begins.

2. Choose your tools wisely

When you know what you need, it’s time to decide how you’ll make it happen.

The tools and platforms you choose can have a big impact on how long your eLearning takes to build. Consider which features will help you move faster – especially during those initial blank-page moments. AI-assisted authoring, built-in templates and ready-made asset libraries can remove manual effort, but they still need planning, setup and testing, so don’t forget to build that into your timeframe.

If you’re working with a new tool – or want to make better use of one you already have – factor in time to get comfortable with the platform. A short investment in training upfront often saves hours later, particularly if you’re planning future builds.

Key tool-related time considerations:

• Tool selection: If you’re new to course creation, allow time to explore platform options and secure stakeholder sign-off.
• Learning curve: Time to get comfortable with new authoring or video tools.
• AI workflow decisions: Testing where AI can speed up writing, design or localisation.

⚡️Less setup stress, more learning success. See how our JumpStart eLearning kits – tools, templates, training and support – help you get up and running faster.

3. Build on brand

Are you using bespoke branded templates or are you building your course totally from scratch?

Making your own custom build is undeniably time-consuming, but it does give you full creative control over the visual design. Alternatively, using a generic template within an authoring tool can speed the process up, but you risk losing that on-brand look and feel.

Key design time considerations:

• Creating branded template packs: Designing reusable layouts that can be applied across courses.
• Layout complexity: Reusing standard page designs speeds up production, while more complex layouts require additional build and refinement time.
• Brand alignment: Applying guidelines, typography, colour and layout consistently.

4. Go beyond the basics

Depending on how ambitious you go, this can easily be the most time-intensive, hands-on stage of creating learning.

A simple text-based course will take far less time to produce than an all-singing, all-dancing masterpiece. However, layering interactivity and multimedia formats into your content can certainly pay off.

Video remains one of the most engaging formats in eLearning, and incorporating this along with gamification and audio is a great way to capture (and keep!) attention, while relaying knowledge in a way that sticks.

Additionally, you also need to think about how people will actually move through the course – whether that’s simple click-through pages, quick knowledge checks, or branching scenarios that ask learners to make decisions and see the consequences.

Key multimedia time considerations:

• Media planning: Deciding where video, audio or animation will add value.
• Scripting and storyboarding: Preparing content before production begins.
• Interaction complexity: Moving from simple knowledge checks to branching or scenario-based activities.
• Production time: Recording, editing and creating supporting assets.

5. Quality control

Even the best-designed course needs time for testing and refinement. Quality control is where everything is checked, adjusted and signed off – and it often takes longer than expected.

Start with technical testing. You’ll need to review the course across different devices, screen sizes and browsers to make sure the experience is consistent. Accessibility checks are equally important, whether that’s captions, navigation or compatibility with assistive technologies. These final tweaks can surface small issues that still require time to resolve.

Then there’s the review and sign-off process. Stakeholders and SMEs rarely provide feedback instantly, so it’s important to build realistic buffer time into your schedule. Giving reviewers clear deadlines, guidance on what to look for and advance notice helps keep things moving – but iteration is still part of the process.

Key quality control time considerations:

• Course testing: Checking functionality, navigation and learner flow checks.
• Device and browser testing: Ensuring a consistent experience across environments.
• Accessibility review: Testing captions, usability and compliance requirements.
• Feedback cycles: Allowing time for comments, revisions and clarifications.
• Stakeholder sign-off: Scheduling realistic review windows and approvals.

How to speed up the process

Speed matters but cutting corners rarely pays off. The goal is to work smarter – streamlining where you can while protecting quality.

• Standardise your process: Clear workflows, review checklists and repeatable content patterns make each new course easier – and quicker – to produce.

• Invest in training: Getting comfortable with your authoring tools – and exploring advanced features – can significantly speed up future builds.
• Use AI thoughtfully: AI is great for getting words on the page, sparking ideas or creating assets – but it works best as a helping hand, not the whole solution. Think of it as an assistant – but ultimately, it’s people that design the learning.
• Use templates and frameworks: Reusable layouts and template packs remove repetitive work, helping you move faster while maintaining consistency across courses.
• Bring in expert support: Sometimes the fastest route is having the right people beside you. With our tailored JumpStart eLearning kits, you get award-winning tools, training, on-brand template packs and expert support in one place – so you can spend less time figuring things out and more time creating learning that makes an impact.

Everything you need, built around you. See how JumpStart helps you build better courses, faster.