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From Pizza to Aviation: A Creative Approach to Instructional Design & CBTA!" 🍕✈️

In aviation training, the transition from Technical Subject Matter Expert (SME) to Instructional Designer is often overlooked. Many SMEs excel in their technical knowledge but struggle to translate that expertise into structured, effective training programs. To address this gap, I designed a workshop based on ICAO’s Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBTA) framework, allowing my team to experience the process of instructional design firsthand.



But instead of using an aviation-related topic, I took a different approach: We built a curriculum for the function of baking pizza!

Why? Because designing training isn't just about technical knowledge—it’s about understanding how to break down a function into its essential competencies, define learning outcomes, and structure training effectively.



The Workshop Approach


Day 1: Understanding CBTA & Instructional Design

We kicked off by exploring the core principles of CBTA and its relevance in instructional design:


✅ Identifying critical competencies

✅ Breaking down tasks into key performance elements

✅ Structuring a competency-based curriculum

✅ Aligning training with real-world job performance


The team was then presented with the challenge: Create a curriculum for baking a pizza, using CBTA principles.


Day 2: Field Trip to a Pizza Restaurant 🍕


To simulate the data-gathering phase of curriculum development, we went on a field trip to a pizza restaurant. The goal was to observe real professionals, analyze workflows, and identify key tasks and competencies.


📌 What are the critical steps in making a pizza?

📌 What skills and knowledge does a pizza maker need?

📌 How is performance assessed in a real-world setting?


By stepping into a completely different industry, my team had to think beyond aviation and focus purely on instructional design principles—a crucial skill for building effective aviation training programs.


Debrief & Curriculum Development


Back in the classroom, the team debriefed their findings and built structured curriculum outlines:


✅ Learning Objectives – What should a trainee be able to do?

✅ Task Analysis – What are the step-by-step functions?

✅ Training Methods – How should the skills be taught?

✅ Assessment Strategies – How do we measure competency?


The results were fantastic! Each participant applied CBTA principles to develop a clear, structured, and competency-driven curriculum—proving that instructional design is a universal skillset that extends beyond aviation.



Key Takeaways


💡 Competency-based training is not just about content—it's about structuring learning for real-world performance.

💡 Instructional design is a skillset that SMEs can develop, provided they learn how to analyze tasks and structure training effectively.

💡 Hands-on, immersive learning experiences make the best instructional designers.


Final Thoughts


This workshop was more than just a fun exercise—it was a game-changer in how SMEs approach training design. By stepping outside the aviation environment, my team gained a deeper understanding of CBTA principles, allowing them to return to their work with a refined instructional mindset.


🔹 If you’re interested in learning how CBTA and competency-based training can improve aviation training programs, let’s connect!


📢 What’s your biggest challenge in transitioning SMEs to instructional designers? Drop your thoughts in the comments!


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