Macro-Design · A project process of days to months, not a session format.

SAM (Successive Approximation)

Agile, iterative alternative to ADDIE for rapid workshop building

When to use SAM (Successive Approximation)

When requirements are unclear, stakeholders need to see something concrete to give useful feedback, or time is short.

How SAM (Successive Approximation) works

This session can be iterated quickly based on participant feedback.

Phases of SAM (Successive Approximation)

  1. Preparation: Gather background quickly: goals, learners, constraints and existing material. It ends in a 'Savvy Start', a brainstorming and sketching meeting with stakeholders and learners.
  2. Iterative Design: Design in short cycles of design, prototype and review. Rough prototypes of key activities are tested and revised before anything is fully built.
  3. Iterative Development: Build the full programme in rounds (design proof, alpha, beta, gold), evaluating and correcting each round with real users.

Key principles

  • Prototype early and cheaply
  • Iterate in short cycles
  • Involve stakeholders and learners throughout
  • Good enough now, better next round

Best for

  • E-learning and blended programme development
  • New workshop formats
  • Projects with evolving requirements
  • Small design teams

Considerations

  • Needs stakeholders who are available for frequent reviews.
  • Without scope control, iterations can keep expanding.
  • Designed mainly for e-learning development; adapt the stages for live workshops.

Attribution & sources

Developed by Michael Allen, 2012

Primary source

Design a session with SAM (Successive Approximation)

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