What is the Right and Wrong Way style for Participant Guides?

I know it's been a while. My SME is going to be suddenly unavailable and I'm trying to finish the project. 

So let's ask the question... is there a right and wrong way to structure a participant guide? Many of the traditional instructional designers reading this are shaking their heads "yes." This is one question I can't answer. You know who you should ask? Your subject matter expert (SME)!

Typically your customer is the project sponsor and/or the SME. You should be asking them how to design your participant guide. Come prepared with many different styles and options. Some people like guides with lots of text while others want the learners to fill in information. I'll be honest. I do like the latter but it's not up to me. 

We need to come to our customers with options and styles. Asked them some basic questions like:

1. What sort of guides have you liked when you attended training?
2. What do your learners expect from your guides?
3. What do the learners typically do with guides after a class?
4. What other options (if any) would be a better solution?

Many customers are leaning towards PDF participant guides. Why? Sadly, most people throw out printed guides after the class or leave it behind. A PDF can be used on multiple devices and softwares. You can even create sections in the PDF for learners to take notes or complete exercises. 

PDFs are not best for all situations. If the exercises involve a lot of drawing or mapping, a PDF could be cumbersome. Talk it over with your SME. Be ready to explain the advantages and disadvantages of each solution. The customer is the one who decides the "correct" format and style for your participant guide after all.