Francis David
Learning Design Architect
Foundations of ESG — Learning Architecture
Project Overview
Designing an instructional strategy and course structure for a Foundations of ESG program, with a clear focus on outcome alignment, progression, and applied understanding.
This work defines how ESG concepts are introduced, developed, and evaluated within a single course, ensuring clarity of purpose for learners and instructional teams.
Designing the Instructional Architecture
The course is designed around a structured instructional strategy that links ESG concepts, business context, and applied decision-making.
Content is sequenced to move learners from foundational understanding of ESG pillars to analysis, evaluation, and application within organisational and strategic contexts.
Client Context
The client needs a clear instructional strategy for an introductory ESG course that goes beyond surface-level awareness. Learners are expected to understand ESG concepts, evaluate real-world applications, and connect sustainability principles to business decision-making.
There is a need for a course structure that defines learning outcomes clearly, supports progression in cognitive complexity, and aligns content, practice, and evaluation.
What this architecture is (and isn’t)
It is an instructional strategy and course design blueprint, not a content script.
It defines learning outcomes, sequencing, and intent across the course.
It aligns knowledge, analysis, and evaluation outcomes to ESG contexts.
- It is not a certification framework or compliance checklist.
Design Approach
The instructional strategy is built using an outcome-driven approach. Learning outcomes are articulated across increasing levels of cognitive demand, from understanding ESG concepts to evaluating organisational ESG performance.
Course topics, activities, and assessments are designed to reinforce this progression, ensuring that learners are not only informed about ESG but are able to reason, analyse, and apply concepts in business-relevant scenarios.
Key Components
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Instructional strategy aligned to ESG learning goals
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Structured course outline with sequenced topics
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Knowledge and competency taxonomy defining expected outcomes
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Emphasis on analysis, evaluation, and applied understanding
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Alignment between learning outcomes and assessment focus
Role & Contribution
I designed the instructional strategy, course structure, and competency taxonomy. This included defining learning outcomes, sequencing topics, and mapping cognitive progression across the course.
The work focused on ensuring coherence between instructional intent, course structure, and evaluation expectations.
Outcome
The instructional strategy provides a clear blueprint for delivering a Foundations of ESG course that supports meaningful understanding and applied reasoning.
It enables instructional teams to design learning experiences that are aligned, purposeful, and focused on real-world relevance rather than conceptual coverage alone.
Reflection
This work highlights the value of making instructional intent explicit at the course level. Clearly defined outcomes and progression help ensure that ESG learning moves beyond awareness toward informed analysis and practical application.
Description
Personal Portfolio
Instructional strategy and course design for a Foundations of ESG program focused on outcome alignment and applied understanding.