Over the Bank Holiday weekend, I enjoyed watching a speed chainsaw carving event. In just 30 minutes, each carver produced a finished, polished sculpture from a raw block of wood. It was fascinating — not just because of the skill involved, but because I realised how much it has in common with designing training.

Here’s what struck me:

1. They had a clear plan.

Not one carver turned up thinking, “I’ll just see what happens.” They all clearly already knew what they wanted to create. Without that clarity, they’d waste precious minutes deciding, or worse, end up with something that would have looked a bit rubbish.

The same is true for training design. Running a workshop on a “rough plan” might seem flexible, but it’s mentally and physically exhausting. You have to hold WAY too much in your head and problem-solve as you go. For the same reason, it’s also limiting. You might have a brilliant idea in the moment, but if you don’t have the right materials or structure ready, you can’t use it. A solid plan frees you to be creative.

2. Their tools and materials were ready.

Every carver had their chainsaws, chisels, sanders, and paint laid out before the clock started (and they’d checked they all worked!). In training design, this is like gathering your source material, examples, equipment and tech tools so you can work smoothly rather than scrambling at the last minute. You know where it is; you’ve checked it works. It’s one less things to worry about.

3. They started with a rough cut.

The first few minutes were all about shaping the bulk of the sculpture. No fine detail, just big, confident cuts to prove the vision was achievable. When designing training, this stage is about sketching out the structure: the learning outcomes, the flow, and the key activities. It’s also the perfect point to check in with stakeholders. If you need to make changes, it’s far easier now than later.

4. They refined in chunks.

Once the rough shape was there, the carvers worked on specific areas such as a head or a wing, without worrying about perfecting everything at once. Training design works the same way. You can develop one section while waiting for content or inspiration for another, as long as you’re following the overall sequence.

5. Then came the fine details.

Only when the design was almost there did the carvers add texture, feathers, fur, or eyes. In training terms, this is where you write case studies, craft specific discussion questions, and source meaningful examples – the elements that make a session truly engaging and unique.

6. The finishing touches added polish (but weren’t essential).

Finally, the carvers added paint, highlights, and polish. If time ran out, the sculpture still looked great. Likewise, your training will work even if you don’t animate every slide or make every handout look Canva-perfect. Those things are the cherry on top, not the cake itself.

Too many facilitators do this process backwards. They start with the fine detail, spending ages on individual slides or searching for the perfect example, before getting the key aspects nailed down. No wonder they’re stressed when the session is only half-written the day before delivery!

The takeaway? Design your training like a chainsaw carver. Start with the big, bold cuts, refine in stages, and only polish at the end. You’ll work faster, reduce stress, and still deliver something remarkable.

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