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Accountability, transparency, and predictability

1. Accountability, transparency, and predictability

Welcome back! In this chapter, we're going to talk about the tools we use to build a course here at DataCamp.

2. Why a timeline?

Predictability in course launches is crucial for DataCamp. A critical step towards achieving predictability is creating a course timeline with specific delivery dates. This agreement ensures that we can hold you and ourselves accountable, that the course development process is transparent, and consequently that we have predictability in our course launches.

3. Reality check

Here is our ideal course development timeline: each chapter is developed in roughly two weeks except for the first one. Two weeks are then allocated to creating screencasts and audio recordings, and another two weeks to preparing for your course's launch. We understand that everyone has different work habits and will face different challenges. Conferences, holidays, and work commitments also influence course timelines. We are happy to provide the flexibility you need - within reason of course. We want you to enjoy creating content with us, and the idea is not to rush development! Together with your Content Developer, you will account for these factors when creating your course timeline. You will then be held accountable to these agreed delivery dates.

4. Missing deadlines

Because so many people depend on the timeline, missing deadlines can have serious consequences, unfortunately, up to terminating the contract. If something unexpected comes up that will affect the timeline, please let us know as soon as possible!

5. Allocation of resources

We use chapter-wise delivery dates so that the Content Team and other teams within the company can allocate their time and resources.

6. Allocation of resources

A Content Developer's time is allocated according to expected course launch dates - and Content Developers typically work on 10 to 15 courses at a time, so that leaves little time for unexpected delays.

7. Allocation of resources

Curriculum Managers are responsible for planning out our next round of courses; they need to know which courses launch and when to plan future courses.

8. Allocation of resources

Outside of Content, the Marketing Team needs launch dates to plan campaigns, which will promote and ultimately benefit your course.

9. Allocation of resources

Also, our Sales and Customer Success Teams communicate launch dates to potential and existing customers, and our sales forecasts are made accordingly.

10. Bottom line

All stakeholders want your course to launch! Not only you, but also DataCamp learners who can see it on our public course roadmap, companies who use DataCamp as a resource, and lastly, us, who want to grow DataCamp's course library. Therefore, having a clear timeline is in everyone's best interest. Experience has shown that agreeing on and committing to specific delivery dates ensures smoother and happier course development and higher quality output. We will provide you with the necessary tools and support throughout development to help you hit your deadlines.

11. Making a DataCamp course is not easy

Keep in mind though, making a DataCamp course is not always easy. You may face challenges. You may struggle to create interesting slides that fit your narrative or have problems with your datasets. You might find there is something you don't understand about our editor. Please factor these into your timeline. And don't procrastinate! Attempting to write an entire chapter the day before a deadline never works out.

12. Teach Data Science by doing

While we want to be very clear that creating a DataCamp course is a lot of work, we also want you to enjoy it.

13. Teach Data Science by doing

Many of our instructors have said that they loved creating a course with DataCamp because it helped them think about and improve how they teach. If you love teaching the way we love learning and put in the effort, you'll enjoy the payout.

14. Let's practice!

Now, let's check if we're aligned.

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