The U.S. Air Force is revising its Instructional Systems Development (ISD) process. This paper will focus on the background leading up to this revision, the approach that has been followed, and the results to date. In 1992, the Air Training Command and the Air Force Systems Command joined forces to initiate a task order contract that would first establish the current baseline of ISD and then focus on the direction ISD should take. The current process does not adequately support new Air Force application needs, new training technologies, or automated support tools. Also, cognitive/affective aspects of learning are now recognized as having potential for contributing significantly to instructional practices. The authors visited Air Force ISD experts across major commands. Outlines were prepared for the overall description of the Air Force ISD process (AFM 50-2) and the application volumes (AFP 50-68), which give guidelines for implementing the process in different settings including education, acquisition of training, aircrew training, and technical training. Content for the manual and each application volume is closely coordinated with Air Force ISD experts. The manual and pamphlets are presented in a structured writing format with illustrations and examples.

ISD is a total quality process and management is key to its implementation. The distorted view that ISD is procedure-checklist-linear is to be changed to a more accurate view that ISD is process-dynamic-circular, allowing the instructional designer to begin at any phase of the process as required to develop and maintain the total instructional system. Information on affective and cognitive domains is added. Information on monitoring contractor-developed instructional systems includes requirements for measurement tools or "metrics" for assessing progress and traceability of decisions back to initial training needs analysis conclusions. The overall training system architecture or "big picture" is used to define the components that will be required to carry out each training system function. Streamlining of the documentation trail is to be aided by computer-assisted tools. The application of computer technology can assist in total system integration. A method for continuing updates is in place.