ADDIE model: what it is, process and example

The ADDIE model is an instructional design process for creating engaging and effective educational programs that improve student outcomes. 

The different phases that comprise it help to analyze in depth the needs and expectations of the learners, and facilitate the design of relevant and customized training materials.

The ADDIE system is widely used in the most effective training programs, so we are going to explain exactly what it is, what the process consists of, and all this with a practical example to illustrate the content.

What is the ADDIE model

ADDIE model is an instructional learning design methodology that allows the creation, organization and optimization of effective, creative and attractive learning and training programs, improving student outcomes.

In this model, specifically in the design of didactic materials, aspects of theories such as behaviorism, cognitivism or constructivism come together.

We can delve into its meaning through its acronyms, which, on the other hand, represent the 5 principles on which this model is based:

• A (Analysis). Identification of the problem.
• D (Design). Design of the roadmap of the training plan.
• D (Development). Development of the necessary tools and resources.
• I (Implementation). Conception of the communication plan and delivery of the classes.
• E (Evaluation). Evaluation and detection of improvement points.

Thanks to the ADDIE method, the educational practice can be adapted to the needs of the students and to predefined objectives in accordance, for example, with the strategic goals of the companies since, in addition, it facilitates the monitoring of the progress.

On the other hand, one of its great advantages is that it increases learner engagement thanks to attractive and motivating programs.

Thus, this instructional design methodology is very versatile, as it can be used in face-to-face classes, but also in e-learning and distance learning.

The 5 phases of the ADDIE model process and examples

Each of the letters of the ADDIE acronym, as we have seen, embodies a phase of its development and represents a sort of guide for the creation of training and capacity-building tools.

Phase 1: Analysis

The first step is to analyze the problem to be solved and identify the target learner, as it happens in marketing when, in order to sell a product or service, it is necessary to study what kind of people may be interested, as well as their specific needs and expectations.

Thus, this first phase focuses on analyzing the training needs of the target student, what are their characteristics, what are their limitations and what is their starting point.

With all this information, you can also map the resources you will need for the student to successfully achieve the objectives and specify aspects such as the duration of the training and the budget needed to develop it.

Phase 2: Design

Now, with all the information resulting from the analysis, it is time to create the educational experience as well as the didactic material in a structured and personalized way, in order for the learner to achieve the established objectives.

In this phase you must also define the channels of delivery of the classes, and other aspects such as the evaluation.

All in all, you can create a prototype or script of the training and present it to stakeholders to collect their feedback and make the necessary adjustments. This is known as rapid prototyping, which saves time, resources and money, as well as providing a more guaranteed learning experience.

Phase 3: Development

Update the educational plans you created in the design phase, determining issues such as the educational method(s) you will use or the type of assessments you will need.

You can also consider the intervention of an external provider specialized in the content you want to develop or the incorporation of a Learning Management System (LMS) to optimize the practice.

The development phase of the educational product is the most extensive and to make sure that everything will work as planned, you can organize pilot tests in conditions that mimic the real ones and make any necessary revisions.

Finally, you need to create a communication plan that makes it easy for learners to understand the importance of the learning and its objectives, and to keep them engaged with the intention that they will pay attention and trust the process.

Phase 4: Implementation

This consists of developing the training as planned, i.e. delivering the classes, communicating with the learners, and collecting data and frequently asked questions to provide solutions or adapt the process.

In addition to the classes, you should consider integrating individual or group tutorials or seminars to complement the main program when necessary.

Phase 5: Evaluation

Ultimately, in the evaluation phase you should monitor the students’ performance, gathering their feelings throughout the practice and checking whether the objectives are being met.

It is also important at this point to detect and propose areas for improvement, adopting a dynamic of continuous evolution of the process.

To develop the evaluation of your students, you can use all kinds of evaluation supports and resources such as questionnaires, knowledge and competence evaluations, 360-Degree feedback, etc.

Example of ADDIE model

With the following practical example, you will better understand what the ADDIE model consists of.

Let’s suppose that as a company, you detect that in order to improve productivity you need to incorporate technological tools for data analysis into your work methodologies.

In the analysis phase, through interviews and team surveys, you will be able to accurately define the challenges, learning needs and possible gaps between workers.

Then, you can start to design the training modules and their characteristics, as well as to choose the methodological approach you are going to apply to obtain better results, such as adaptive learning, etc.

Once you have planned your contents, it is time to test them in the development phase and adjust them according to the impressions obtained from your pilot tests. You can fill in the information gaps you discover with complementary material in different media such as video, ebooks, simulation exercises, gamification, etc.

To facilitate implementation, you can use an LMS, as we mentioned a few lines ago. These platforms allow a high level of customization of the training course.

Finally, evaluation is a key phase of the ADDIE method. For it to be a success, it must be fair, transparent, objective and respect the legality in terms of privacy and digital security.

At Smowltech we are aware of the great importance of a quality assessment, so our proctoring plans comply with the necessary precepts to offer your students safe, respectful and effective environments.

If you want to check it out, we encourage you to easily request a free demo.

Importance of the ADDIE model for instructional design

Creating a structured process for designing a training plan improves the learner experience and increases the success rate of an educational program. 

It is also a matter of quality, as instructors meet the needs through intensive and thorough pre-analysis, and can continuously improve the teaching concerning learner feedback and the experience gained throughout the implementation of the teaching.