PART I

A New Model for Instructional Product Design and Development

This book defines and shares a process for efficient and flexible design and development of engaging and effective learning products. While the principles of instructional design and the characteristics of successful instructional events are discussed, the intent of this book is to provide a foundation for teams to work with an iterative process to build wonderful learning experiences. At the very least, I hope the book provides a basis for taking the risk of trying something different to achieve something spectacular.

Part I focuses on problems with instructional systems development (ISD) models such as ADDIE that have become traditional and yet are variously defined and, at least in many instances, less successful in producing quality products and managing constraints than they might be. We then turn to an alternative, the Successive Approximation Model (SAM), which, with similarities to such contemporary software development models as Agile, Extreme Programming (XP), and SCRUM, uses iteration, short work cycles, and other techniques to produce the best possible product regardless of situational constraints.