ADDIE: A 5-Step Process for
Effective Training & Learning
Evaluation
What is ADDIE?
The ADDIE model of instructional design is a five-step process to
developing iterative learning and training activities. The ADDIE model of
instructional design is as ubiquitous to learning design as Kirkpatrick is to
learning evaluation.
Originally developed in 1975 by Florida State University for the U.S. Army,
ADDIE remains the default instructional design process for many
organizations. This model was originally created as a very detailed process,
however, these days most instructional designers will only be familiar with
its five main stages:
1. Analysis
2. Design
3. Development
4. Implementation
5. Evaluation
All five phases are equally important, but in practice, most effort is often
put into the Design and Development stages, while the Analysis,
Implementation, and Evaluation phases are often less well done. This could
be caused by time constraints on L&D for rapid development, or our
tendency to start (and complete) tangible work and skimming over the
critical, yet unseen, elements.
Recommended Reading
What's Learning Evaluation? [GUIDE]
Five Steps of ADDIE Explained
1. Analysis
The analysis stage was originally conceived to analyze the job tasks
associated with the training. Now, it’s often seen as an analysis of the
learners and learning requirements rather than performance analysis.
For example, you might look at the content availability on a certain topic,
consider delivery options for the training, and assess project timelines.
Extra Insight: This stage often doesn’t include analysis of either the
business and performance goals attached to the training, or questions
around what learners need to do differently or better to achieve those
goals. And typically, very little time is allowed for the analysis phase.
(Our BALDDIE design model, which we’ll cover in a later post, splits analysis
into three stages to help give this aspect more attention.)
2–3. Design & Development
Designing and developing learning content, resources, and experiences are
complex topics that could warrant their own dedicated blog posts. So, for
space and time’s sake, we’ve provided brief explanations of each stage.
The training design stage focuses on both the design of the learning
experience and materials needed to support the experience. And good
design builds on the results of the analysis.
Once the learning has been designed, the development stage focuses on
creating and developing those materials and experiences.
Extra Insight: As mentioned earlier, the design and development stages are
generally understood and executed well, so no considerations here.
4. Implementation
The implementation stage consists of the execution and delivery of the
designed content. You can’t just throw your elearning content into the LMS
and hope for the best. Otherwise, you risk wasting all that time, energy, and
effort you invested in designing that content.
That’s why you need to consider implementation best practices. This
includes how learners will discover content, ease of access to that content,
and ongoing maintenance to ensure the content is still functioning and
relevant.
Extra Insight: Proper implementation is becoming more valued—especially
as the importance of social learning becomes more recognized and learner
expectations of digital experiences increase based on digital experiences in
their personal lives.
And this is a good thing because even when you design and develop the
best elearning course in the world, it’s not going to have an impact if it’s
implemented poorly. In other words, implementation is an important step
that should not be ignored.
5. Evaluation
The Evaluation stage is used to assess the quality and effectiveness of the
entire instructional design process. Many people assume that because the
“E” in ADDIE comes at the end of the acronym, that evaluation happens at
the end of the process. But actually, evaluation has always been intended
to be part of every stage.
The analysis should be evaluated.
The design should be evaluated.
The development should be evaluated.
The implementation should be evaluated.
ADDIE also includes both internal and external evaluation so you can take
input and direction from those:
familiar with the project who understand your decisions, and
with fresh eyes who can challenge your assumptions
