<p>This paper investigates how Wedman &amp; Graham’s performance pyramid model can be a valuable tool to strengthen partnerships between faculty and instructional designers in higher education. The performance pyramid provides a framework with three key performance support dimensions to evaluate needs and incorporate various contextual elements within personal, instructional, and organizational settings. Faculty development programs can adopt a more systematic approach to assessing needs and implementing instructional design within higher education institutions. The paper presents a practical guide based on the performance pyramid model, offering instructional designers proven methods and best practices for strategically conducting needs assessments and planning instructional design within faculty development efforts; it meanwhile provides stakeholders with valuable insights involved in policy-making and strategic planning for faculty development. The paper also explores the model’s constraints and proposes areas for further study.</p>