Considering that most companies deliver at least some training via e-learning, course authoring software is an important tool for talent development. And while many of these tools have expensive licensing fees, open-source alternatives exist.

One option of note is Google Course Builder. Free to download and legal to modify, it lets you set up a course-building web application for your entire organization or for a specific learning program. Once you've set up this app, you can use it to create, deliver, and manage online learning programs.

The software enables you to assemble e-learning programs with familiar elements, such as units, lessons, and assessments. Then, you can set constraints on who can access the course, design unique tracks through your course for students, and take advantage of numerous other features. In typical Google fashion, most features are easy to use. And if you want to add more, you can ask your IT team to create them by modifying the program's code.

Best of all, the program comes with several tutorials that make it easy to use. They range from explanations for using specific features to an "Online Course Kit" that shows how to create a learning program with Course Builder in four steps. By including these guides, Course Builder makes itself especially useful for talent development professionals who are new to designing online instruction.

Does this sound like something you could use? If so, download it at https://edu.google.com/openonline/course-builder/index.html.