What Is QM—And Why Should We Care?

Written by Dr. Angela Robbins

Quality is often overlooked in the rush to quickly deliver training and online learning. At eLearningDOC, we make it our priority. We are committed to designing learning experiences that go beyond checking the box and, instead, truly transform how people learn. Quality Matters® (QM) is a foundational part of our approach. When it comes to learning design, excellence should never be optional but an essential part of the process.

What Exactly Is QM?

Quality Matters (QM) is a nationally recognized, research-informed framework designed to assess and improve the quality of online and hybrid course design. Unlike evaluations focusing on how well a course is delivered, QM emphasizes the intentional structure behind the learning experience, such as how content, activities, and assessments are thoughtfully aligned to support learner success.

At the heart of QM is its comprehensive rubric, which includes eight general standards and multiple research-supported review criteria. These cover critical areas such as clearly stated learning objectives, alignment between objectives and assessments, meaningful learner engagement, accessible and usable course materials, effective use of instructional technology, and support for diverse learners.

Used by instructional designers, developers, trainers, faculty, and academic and non-academic institutions nationwide, the QM framework provides a shared language and best practices for designing instructionally sound, inclusive, and impactful courses. Think of it as a detailed blueprint that guides the creation of learner-centered experiences. It helps to create courses that are clear, consistent, and designed to maximize learner achievement.

Why It Matters

Here’s the truth: Well-designed courses drive better results, and QM provides the roadmap to get there.

QM offers a shared language and sets of evidence-based benchmarks that help instructional designers, developers, and subject matter experts work together to build stronger, more effective learning experiences. At eLearningDOC, we’ve seen the power of QM-aligned design to:

• Reduce learner confusion and frustration by ensuring content is organized and easy to navigate
• Boost engagement and completion rates through intentional alignment of learning objectives, assessments, and activities
• Support a wide range of learners by embedding accessibility and inclusive design from the start
• Enable consistency and scalability across large course portfolios, maintaining quality without sacrificing agility

It’s not about adding more; it’s about designing with purpose, clarity, and impact. QM helps us do what matters most: Create learning that works.

Where Good Instructional Design Meets QM

At eLearningDOC, our design philosophy naturally aligns with the core principles of the QM framework, reinforcing our commitment to excellence in online learning. Every course we create is grounded in best practices that reflect both pedagogical integrity and an exceptional learner experience that provides:

• Clear, measurable learning objectives – We begin every project with well-defined outcomes that guide content development and ensure learners understand precisely what they’ll achieve.
• Intentional alignment between objectives, content, and assessments—Our instructional design approach ensures that every piece of content, activity, and assessment serves a purpose and relates directly to the stated learning goals.
• Intuitive course navigation and visual hierarchy – We prioritize learner usability through consistent layouts, logical progression, and visual cues that reduce cognitive load and support independent exploration.
• Thoughtful use of multimedia to support, not distract from, learning—Our multimedia choices are intentional and used to clarify complex ideas, reinforce key concepts, and provide multiple engagement means rather than add unnecessary content.
• Accessible, inclusive content that meets learners where they are – We design with all learners in mind, using WCAG standards and universal design principles to ensure our courses are usable by diverse audiences, including those with disabilities, language barriers, or varying levels of digital literacy.

By integrating QM as a benchmark, we can scale these practices across large portfolios and multiple clients, without sacrificing creativity, personalization, or our commitment to human-centered design. It allows us to maintain rigor and consistency while delivering innovative learning solutions that drive measurable impact.

Impact on Learning & Development

QM offers something rare and incredibly valuable in today’s fast-paced learning and development environment: A predictable, scalable approach to quality. For L&D leaders navigating tight timelines, diverse learner needs, and high-stakes training goals, the Quality Matters framework provides a trusted foundation for course design that delivers speed and substance. Whether you’re building onboarding programs, compliance training, or ongoing professional development, QM helps ensure your learning solutions are effective, engaging, and aligned with organizational outcomes.

At eLearningDOC, we leverage QM principles not just as a checklist, but as a strategic design lens to help our clients achieve:

• Streamlined content rollout across global teams – QM-aligned design enables consistent course structures and scalable templates, allowing teams to launch high-quality content quickly across different regions, languages, and departments.
• Measurable improvements in learner satisfaction and comprehension – Through clear learning objectives, aligned assessments, and engaging, accessible content, learners are more confident, engaged, and able to apply what they’ve learned, resulting in improved course ratings and learning outcomes.
• Confidence in the integrity and consistency of course design – With QM as our guide, every course meets a standard of instructional soundness, assuring stakeholders, from subject matter experts to compliance officers, that content is accurate and designed for maximum clarity, retention, and impact.

QM allows us to bring structure without rigidity and elevate quality without compromising creativity. It’s how we help clients meet big expectations, without sacrificing learner experience.

Let’s Raise the Bar—Together

Whether launching your first course or scaling a global training initiative, adopting a QM-based design approach helps you build content that inspires, informs, and performs.

At eLearningDOC, we don’t just design courses; we elevate learning experiences through innovative strategy and impeccable design. If you’re ready to build something that delivers on its promise, let’s connect.

Reach out today to explore how we can bring quality to the core of your learning ecosystem.

Citation:

Quality Matters. (n.d.). Quality Matters program overview. https://www.qualitymatters.org

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