Leaving Addie for SAM: An Agile Model for Developing the Best Learning Experiences

by Michael W. Allen

The ADDIE process is past its prime.

It was developed long before Agile and other iterative processes that have introduced greater efficiencies in design and development, fostered more creativity, and addressed effective stakeholder involvement. Leaving ADDIE for SAM introduces two new concepts SAM, the Successive Approximation Model, and the Savvy Start. Together, they incorporate contemporary design and development processes that reduce the complexity of instructional design and development, yielding more energetic and effective learning experiences.

This book is a must-read for all learning professionals who have a desire to let go of outmoded methodologies and start creating better, faster training products today.

216 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 23, 2012

Reviews

[Heather Hoyt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like the idea of successive approximation, and I think it can be applied in lots of settings. Instead of trying to do a project linear, you have this circle of designing, developing, and evaluating, and you keep doing that over and over until you get what you want. So you start with coming up with ideas, prototyping, and evaluating it, and successively making a project better and better. I think this is useful in things like research, writing, and anything where you are trying to get a finished project at the end. Sometimes we take up too much early in the process.

[Kole · Rating 3 out of 5]

At first, my wife thought I was reading a romance novel after looking at the title and picture on the cover. Sadly, she was disappointed to learn that this was a book about instructional design models. I, on the other hand, liked the book. I really liked learning about something other than the ADDIE model. I liked how the author explained the SAM process and how he has helped me to see how to implement it.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

SAM explained in great detail. How to deal with the Savvy start and prototyping, project planning, a design proof with examples of content, and the Alpha, Beta and Gold deliverables is only an example of the big value that this book has.

[Loren Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you don’t read this for any other reason, read Chapter 3 and learn about the CCAF model.

[Sarah Nichols · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not just for learning experiences but also helpful for those involved in iterative design. This was a great reference while creating and analyzing new programs at my previous job.