Instructional Design & Performance-Focused Training

Helping organizations turn complex information into practical learning that improves performance.

I’m Ashton Shaikh, an instructional designer, training designer, and performance consultant specializing in performance-focused learning and development.

With 16+ years of experience across education, instructional design, and workplace learning, I help organizations identify what people need to do differently, determine whether training is the right solution, and design practical learning experiences that support performance on the job.

My work combines instructional design, performance consulting, adult learning, cognitive science, and accessible learning design to create training that goes beyond delivering information.

What I Do

I design and develop corporate training, eLearning, learning experiences, job aids, performance support tools, and instructional resources based on real business and performance needs.

My instructional design process may include:

• Performance and needs analysis

• Subject matter expert collaboration

• Action mapping

• Learning experience design

• Course outlining and storyboarding

• eLearning design and development

• Scenario-based learning

• Job aids and performance support

• Accessibility and inclusive learning design

• Training evaluation

The goal is simple: design learning around what people need to do, not just what they need to know.

Why Performance-Focused Instructional Design Matters

Training does not automatically solve a performance problem.

Effective instructional design starts by identifying the desired business outcome, understanding what is preventing people from achieving it, and determining what support will actually help.

When training is appropriate, I design learning experiences that give people opportunities to make decisions, practice realistic tasks, receive feedback, and apply what they learn to their work.

This approach helps organizations move from content delivery to performance improvement.

How I Approach Instructional Design

My work is informed by adult learning, cognitive and behavioral science, performance consulting, and evidence-based instructional design practices.

I partner with leaders and subject matter experts to answer three fundamental questions:

What do people need to do?

Why does it matter?

How can we help them do it successfully?

From there, I design realistic scenarios, guided practice, accessible learning experiences, and job-embedded resources that support people during training and after they return to work.

Areas of Expertise

Instructional Design
Designing structured, accessible learning experiences aligned with business goals and learner performance.

Performance Consulting
Identifying the causes of performance gaps and determining whether training, performance support, process improvements, or other solutions are needed.

eLearning Design & Development
Creating engaging digital learning experiences built around meaningful decisions, practice, feedback, and application.

Learning Experience Design
Applying adult learning and cognitive science principles to make complex information easier to understand, remember, and use.

Training Evaluation
Connecting learning solutions to observable behaviors, performance expectations, and measurable outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is instructional design?

Instructional design is the systematic process of analyzing learning and performance needs and creating experiences, resources, and support that help people build knowledge and skills and perform effectively.

What does an instructional designer do?

An instructional designer identifies learning and performance needs, works with subject matter experts, organizes complex information, designs learning experiences, develops training materials, and evaluates whether those solutions support the desired outcomes.

What is performance-focused instructional design?

Performance-focused instructional design begins with what people need to do differently to achieve a business goal. Training content, practice activities, scenarios, and performance support are then designed around those behaviors rather than around information alone.

What is the difference between instructional design and performance consulting?

Instructional design focuses on designing effective learning experiences. Performance consulting starts earlier by determining why a performance gap exists and whether training is actually the appropriate solution.

What types of training can an instructional designer create?

Instructional designers may develop eLearning, instructor-led training, virtual training, onboarding, compliance training, procedural training, scenario-based learning, job aids, performance support resources, assessments, and blended learning experiences.

About Ashton Shaikh

Ashton Shaikh is an instructional designer, training designer, and performance consultant with 16+ years of experience in learning and education.

She holds three master’s degrees in Instructional Design, Curriculum & Instruction, and English Language Learning and specializes in designing practical, accessible learning solutions informed by adult learning and cognitive science.

Her work focuses on helping organizations move beyond information-heavy training toward learning experiences that support real decisions, behaviors, and performance.

Explore Instructional Design Resources

Explore articles, instructional design resources, portfolio examples, and practical tools for creating performance-focused learning experiences.

Practice that changes behavior. Design that supports performance.