Stress-Free Solutions: How Facilitation Creates Seamless Workflows for Instructional Designers – Maryam Abdulkadir

Instructional designers juggle many roles—project manager, collaborator, and creative problem solver—while working under tight deadlines and high expectations. Challenges such as scope creep, uncollaborative SMEs, and unclear accountability often disrupt workflows, leading to stress and endless iterations that fail to resonate with the audience. In focusing so much on the learner experience, it’s easy to lose sight of ways to make your own work more efficient and enjoyable.

In this interactive workshop, we’ll explore how facilitation techniques can help instructional designers address these challenges head-on. You’ll learn how to:

• Establish clear accountability and expectations during kick-off meetings.
• Navigate difficult conversations with stakeholders and SMEs to avoid misalignment.
• Design and implement contingency plans to maintain momentum and minimise disruptions.

Drawing on insights from over eight years as an international facilitator, I’ll guide participants through intercultural collaboration exercises as we co-create an example of a kick-off session that sets the tone for a positive and impactful working environment. By focusing on facilitation and problem-solving strategies, you’ll leave with actionable tools to enhance both your workflow and the outcomes of your instructional design projects.