The first step in the course creation process is course design, where a detailed blueprint for your course is built. During this phase, instructors will work with Curriculum Managers (CMs) who will ensure that the course is aligned with our curriculum goals and the technology taught (i.e., chosen packages) is supported (or will be by the time the course is in development) on DataCamp's platform.

 
During the course design phase, the instructor will design the course spec, which is housed in the README file of the course GitHub repo. In addition to helping instructors brainstorm topics for the course, the course audience will be defined, a sample lesson and capstone exercises will be created, a high-level outline for the course will be written, and everything will be tied together with a "sales" pitch to students on why they should take your course and what they'll learn.

Once the course spec is complete, it will be sent to a Content Developer (CD) for review. Instructors are then given feedback based on a rubric, available in each course repo and are given the opportunity to incorporate changes before moving on to the next phase: course development. Once the CD has approved the course specs, there will be an official handoff where the course and the instructor are transited over to the CD's care and begin building their course!