The instructional design process encompasses a set of interdependent phases including analysis of learners, contexts and goals; design of objectives, strategies and assessment tools; production of instructional materials; and evaluation of learner performance and overall instructional design effort. Automated instructional design (AID) tools assist instructional designers and others in creating instructional products to improve learning. In general, AID tools that support the planning and evaluation phases of ID are not as widely used by practitioners as tools that focus on the authoring and media production phases. Regardless of its strength or approach, the value of a particular tool or type of system is measured by how well it can support a particular designer's task. This ERIC Digest focuses on four types of tools that guide users through the ID process: expert systems, advisory systems, information management systems, and electronic performance systems. Authoring tools are also mentioned as popular mechanisms for supporting the production of computer-based instruction. (AEF)