Forum Discussion
Do You Storyboard Before Building in Rise?
When I'm starting a new Rise course, I often sketch out a quick outline first. Other times, I build right in Rise (especially now with AI!) and organize as I go. Lately, I've been wondering how others approach it—especially when it comes to storyboarding or outlining content ahead of time.
If you build Rise courses, I'd love to hear: Do you typically create a storyboard or outline before jumping into Rise? 📝
(And if you do, what does it usually look like—simple notes, a spreadsheet, something more detailed?)
I'm gathering some insights for an upcoming community project and would love to learn from your processes! 🙌🏼
30 Replies
If it's a script for video I usually send draft in for SME review first. If it's an outline for new course - I'll just build course, then send it in for review and go from there - Much faster this way :-)
love that - thanks for sharing more about your process! 🙌🏼
I would love to say I storyboard, but I definitely lean towards building directly into Rise. When working with an SME, I will step out learning outcomes and topic headings for inclusion for them. I will also ask (of course!) if there is any specific content they would like included, but I build in Rise and use reviewlink to seek their feedback.
That makes so much sense - it sounds like you have a great process figured out JulieMahony!
In regard to your SME review process, I'm curious... 🤔 do you publish an outline within Rise first or do you create the full course in Rise and then send it to the SMEs for review?
If I have access to written content, I just "wing it" and Rapid Prototype - once the Rise prototype is complete I send to SME for review in Review 360, then make adjustments based on their comments. If the course is something new, then I make an outline (in Rise or Storyboard) and go from there.
Sounds like you've got your process nailed down Ashleyphilli980! 🙌🏼
I'm curious, when you make something new and are first creating an outline, do you send that outline for SME feedback or wait until you have the prototype? ✨
I’ve found that starting with an outline or storyboard works best for me—it gives me just enough structure to visualize how the content will flow and how each piece will be presented. I typically use Google Docs, especially when collaborating or when SME/stakeholder input is needed without the distraction of visuals.
Storyboarding helps me plan the most effective block types, interactive elements, and supporting graphics. It keeps me intentional with design choices. I don’t even like to open Rise until the outline feels solid.
That said, it also depends on the project’s complexity—if I’m incorporating Storyline blocks, I follow a different process for that.
AmandaEckenroed I find that I prefer to work in a similar way! 🙌🏼 I love being able to lay out what I'm thinking before building within the authoring tool.
Do you use a template when you're storyboarding/outlining, or type things in the Google doc as you go? 🗒️
I will generally have some sort of source materials that I am working from, but I actually find Rise a really intuitive way of organising content. I will sometimes have a word doc to get a rough outline together but I will often create an outline directly in Rise, by adding lesson titles, then content headings. I will then flesh out this skeleton with the required information/ text. This is what I will usually send to the SMEs for content clearance, before adding in images/ interactive elements/ scenarios/ case studies/ knowledge checks etc. to bring the content to life. Finally, I can get sign off from SMEs and any senior individuals using the review feature. I also like that if the flow feels off, I can quite easily move sections, or even lessons around.
I love this, ElisabethHugget! 💛 I could see using this to save me time by creating the outline directly in Rise rather than in a Word or Google document.
Was this a new process you had to roll out to SMEs, or has this been a long-standing process? I'm curious about others who are interested in using a process similar to this, and how they could gain SME buy-in for a shift in process.
I typically do an outline, but not a storyboard. I know the content I want to include but how I choose to include it is decided on the way :)
Dana7C2A ooh I like this style - leaving it open for you to determine what it looks like as you go 💚
Do you typically send the outline for SME review or wait until it's in the authoring tool?
I have the SME review the outline, usually going through it together on a call :)
Given a choice, my ideal is for the content to have been presented as a webinar, with a PPT with detailed speakers notes. I then add additional copy using the recording.
Either way, I like to start the first draft in PPT because my SMEs are used to PPT, and they can add their notes/comments in the review function.
Also, my current project has Vyond videos throughout. I can use the speaker notes to create a first draft of a script and then use the Vyond AI tool to create a first draft.
I love using Rise to store all of my gathered content and leave notes to the SMEs/myself - it helps to have everything in one place.
Sounds like you've got this down to a science AmyEdmonds-4240! Are most of the courses you're creating meant to be a resource to go along with a presentation, or to provide the same information as/replace the presentation?
This is perfect timing for me as I am just getting started creating courses. My workflow so far is to start with the documentation I have created and as I transfer that to Rise, I check for updates and documentation I can attach for reference, which usually is the documentation I am working from. I'm looking forward to seeing other workflows for this to improve what I am doing.
Hi DanaLorz 👋🏼 Glad this is coming at the perfect time for you! I'm curious if anything has stood out to you from this thread that you might use for your own processes and workflows?
Also, is this is a topic you'd be interested in exploring more in-depth in a small group format?
I don't usually storyboard for Rise, but I will draft an outline with the text I want to include. I'll create interactions and add images and links as I go.
That makes a lot of sense AnnaWeyerman-9a! 🙌🏼 I'm curious if you send the outline to SMEs/stakeholders for feedback or if you wait until the course is built out to request feedback?
I actually do a combo... I start the Storyboard in Excel, then, jump into Rise to help with "how" I'm going to present a particular piece of content.
OH this is cool, ChristineDel320! 😎 I haven't seen a storyboard in Excel, would you be willing to share an example of what the template looks like or explain it a little?
