4.1 Why Alternatives to ADDIE?
While ADDIE is the most widely recognized instructional design model, it is not the only approach. Many practitioners have developed alternative models that address specific limitations of ADDIE, particularly its perceived linearity and the time required to complete all phases before testing. Alternative models emphasize iteration, speed, flexibility, and early stakeholder involvement.
4.2 The SAM Model (Successive Approximation Model)
Developed by: Michael Allen (Allen Interactions)
SAM (Successive Approximation Model) was designed as an agile alternative to ADDIE. It emphasizes rapid iteration, early prototyping, and ongoing collaboration with stakeholders. SAM recognizes that design is rarely linear—ideas evolve as they are tested and refined.
SAM Phases
- Preparation Phase: Similar to ADDIE's Analysis—gather information, understand the problem, define project scope
- Iterative Design Phase: Create prototypes, gather feedback, refine. This is where the "successive approximation" happens—multiple cycles of design, prototyping, and review
- Iterative Development Phase: Build the final product in iterative cycles, testing and refining as you go
Key Principles of SAM
- Start Early: Begin prototyping before you think you're ready. Early prototypes reveal assumptions and generate valuable feedback.
- Iterate Rapidly: Short cycles of design, prototype, review, refine. Each cycle improves the product incrementally.
- Collaborate Constantly: Involve stakeholders throughout, not just at milestones. Frequent communication reduces surprises.
- Embrace Change: Design evolves as understanding deepens. SAM expects and welcomes change.
When to Use SAM
Best for: Projects with high uncertainty, complex stakeholder needs, short timelines, or where early feedback is critical. SAM excels when the design needs to evolve through testing and iteration.
Less suited for: Projects with rigid compliance requirements, fixed budgets with no room for iteration, or when stakeholders cannot commit to ongoing collaboration.
4.3 Agile Instructional Design
Origins: Software Development (Agile Manifesto)
Agile instructional design applies principles from software development to learning design. It emphasizes delivering value incrementally, responding to change, and focusing on working solutions rather than comprehensive documentation.
Core Agile Principles for ID
- Individuals and interactions over processes and tools
- Working solutions over comprehensive documentation
- Customer collaboration over contract negotiation
- Responding to change over following a plan
Agile ID Practices
- Sprints: Short, time-boxed work cycles (1-4 weeks) that deliver a functional piece of instruction
- Backlog: Prioritized list of features or content to be developed
- Daily Stand-ups: Quick team meetings to coordinate and identify blockers
- Sprint Reviews: Demonstrating completed work to stakeholders for feedback
- Retrospectives: Reflecting on what worked and what could improve
Scrum for Instructional Design
Scrum is the most common Agile framework. In Scrum for ID:
- Product Owner: Represents stakeholders, prioritizes the backlog
- Scrum Master: Facilitates the process, removes obstacles
- Development Team: Instructional designers, developers, SMEs
- Sprints: 1-4 week cycles delivering completed course modules or features
4.4 Rapid Prototyping
Concept: Test Early, Test Often
Rapid prototyping is an approach, not a full model, that can be integrated with ADDIE, SAM, or Agile. It emphasizes creating rough, low-fidelity versions of instruction early in the design process to gather feedback before committing significant development resources.
Levels of Prototyping
- Paper Prototypes: Rough sketches of screens, storyboards, or activities. Fastest to create, useful for testing flow and structure.
- Clickable Prototypes: Interactive but low-fidelity versions using tools like PowerPoint, Figma, or Balsamiq. Test navigation and basic interactions.
- Functional Prototypes: Partially built in actual authoring tools. Test specific features or complex interactions.
- Pilots: Fully built modules tested with a small group before full rollout.
Benefits of Rapid Prototyping
- Early Feedback: Catch issues before they're expensive to fix
- Stakeholder Alignment: Prototypes make abstract designs concrete, reducing misunderstandings
- User-Centered Design: Real users test and shape the product
- Reduced Rework: Fewer surprises late in development
Rapid Prototyping Tips
- Don't aim for perfection—prototypes are meant to be disposable
- Test with representative users, not just colleagues
- Focus on specific questions: "Does this navigation make sense?" rather than "Do you like this color?"
- Iterate based on feedback; expect to create multiple versions
4.5 The Dick and Carey Model
Developed by: Walter Dick, Lou Carey, James Carey
The Dick and Carey Model is a systems approach to instructional design that emphasizes the interconnectedness of all components. Unlike ADDIE's five phases, Dick and Carey identifies nine interrelated components that must be aligned for effective instruction.
The Nine Components
- Identify Instructional Goals: What problem will instruction solve?
- Conduct Instructional Analysis: Identify skills and knowledge needed to achieve goals
- Analyze Learners and Contexts: Understand who learners are and the learning environment
- Write Performance Objectives: Specific, measurable statements of what learners will do
- Develop Assessment Instruments: Create tools to measure achievement of objectives
- Develop Instructional Strategy: Select methods, media, and activities
- Develop and Select Instructional Materials: Create or curate content
- Design and Conduct Formative Evaluation: Test and refine during development
- Revise Instruction: Use evaluation data to improve
The Dick and Carey model is more detailed than ADDIE, making it valuable for complex projects where every component must be carefully considered. It emphasizes the systemic nature of instruction—each component affects the others, and all must be aligned.
4.6 The Kemp Model (Morrison, Ross, Kemp)
Developed by: Jerrold Kemp, Gary Morrison, Steven Ross
The Kemp Model takes a nonlinear, flexible approach. Unlike linear models, it allows designers to start at any point and move in any order, emphasizing that design is a fluid process that doesn't follow a fixed sequence.
Nine Elements (Interconnected, Not Sequential)
- Identify instructional problems and goals
- Examine learner characteristics
- Identify subject content and analyze tasks
- State instructional objectives
- Sequence content within each instructional unit
- Design instructional strategies
- Plan the instructional message and delivery
- Develop evaluation instruments
- Select resources to support instruction and learning activities
4.7 Choosing the Right Model
No single model is best for all situations. The most effective instructional designers understand multiple models and select based on project needs.
Model Comparison
| Model | Strengths | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| ADDIE | Comprehensive, widely recognized, structured | Large projects, compliance, new designers |
| SAM | Iterative, collaborative, early feedback | Uncertain requirements, stakeholder involvement |
| Agile | Flexible, incremental delivery, responsive | Fast-paced projects, evolving requirements |
| Dick & Carey | Detailed, systems-oriented, rigorous | Complex instruction, academic settings |
| Kemp | Flexible, nonlinear, adaptable | Designers who prefer non-sequential workflows |
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Model
- Project Complexity: Simple projects may not need a detailed model
- Timeline: Tight deadlines may favor Agile or SAM
- Stakeholder Involvement: High involvement suits SAM or Agile
- Team Experience: New teams may prefer the structure of ADDIE
- Compliance Requirements: Some contexts require documented processes
- Organizational Culture: Choose a model that fits how your organization works
📌 Episode Summary
ADDIE is not the only instructional design model. SAM offers iterative, collaborative design. Agile delivers value incrementally through sprints. Rapid prototyping tests early and often. Dick and Carey provides a detailed systems approach. The Kemp model is nonlinear and flexible. The best instructional designers know multiple models and select the approach that best fits each project's unique needs.
In Episode 5, we'll dive deep into writing effective learning objectives—the foundation of instructional alignment.