Real World ADDIE
ADDIE is an instructional design process that everyone in the industry knows. But for an outsider looking in, what does it look like in practice?
I am going to map out the steps for developing a technical training learning solution, in this case a course that is virtual instructional-led training for a new piece of software.
Analysis - During a proactive quarterly meeting with my product owners, they mention needing customer education for a new application being released in 4 months time. I do my research by gathering documentation, reading the end user guide, and facilitating a kick off meeting. I wrap up this stage with a scope document clearly summarizing the project parameters, stakeholders, and objectives, and get the sponsors to sign off on it.
Design - I meet with the SMEs (software developers) multiple times to determine the most important use cases. They demo different processes and provide a reference environment for me to tinker with the interface. I write a broad outline for instruction, activities, and assessments.
Develop - I create the deliverables for the learning solution. In this example, it is a PowerPoint deck with screenshots and instructor notes, as well as training environment reference data that facilitators can use with their learners. We do a dry-run with some employees and implement feedback from SMEs multiple times.
Implementation - Trainers deliver the vILT to an external client audience for the first time. We use observations and surveys to gather evidence of the course’s strengths and areas for improvement. I upload all the source files to our team’s server for secure storage.
Evaluation - Using data from the pilot, we improve the offering. We also set up a maintenance routine for checking-in with learners in the future and continually reviewing assessment results, trainer scores, and other commentary we receive through our LMS. The team reflects as a group by participating in a retro. We schedule release updates in our calendar so we know when we need to update the training in the future.
There you have it; one example of technical training being developed “in the wild”.
