When you’re designing a learning experience, it helps to have a plan—something more reliable than Post-its and a prayer. That’s where ADDIE comes in.
It’s not flashy, but it works. A solid, five-step framework that’s been around since bell-bottoms were in style (the first time). And while it’s evolved over the years, ADDIE still does what it was built to do: help instructional designers make learning that actually lands.
First, What is ADDIE?
ADDIE is an acronym that stands for:
- Analysis
- Design
- Development
- Implementation
- Evaluation
It’s not just a step-by-step checklist, it’s more like five puzzle pieces you mix, match, and revisit throughout a project. Think of it as your creative GPS for making training that’s effective.
Phase 1: Analysis (aka The Detective Work)
Before you start building anything, you need to figure out what’s actually going on. Is training even the answer? Or is the “problem” really a software glitch, lack of resources, or plain ol’ miscommunication? This phase is about asking all the right questions:
- What’s the actual issue we’re trying to fix?
- Is training going to help?
- Who are the learners?
- What do they already know?
- What are our tech/tools/time constraints?
Skip this phase, and you risk creating a beautifully useless course. (And no one has time for that.)
♦️ Modern truth bomb: Most organizations skip this step. However, if you want to be seen as a strategic partner, not just the “training person,” start here and stay curious.
Phase 2: Design (aka The Blueprint Phase)
Now that you know the problem, it’s time to map out your game plan. This is where learning objectives are born, content starts taking shape, and storyboards come to life. It’s part planning and part outlining. Depending on your format (eLearning? Workshop? Smoke signals?), you might create:
- Scripts
- Slide decks
- Interactive flowcharts
- Facilitator guides
- Wireframes and storyboards
♦️ Pro tip: This phase is where your inner instructional nerd shines. You’re translating strategy into structure, and it’s pretty darn satisfying.
Phase 3: Development (aka Building the Thing)
Time to get your hands dirty (digitally speaking). This is when you take all those scripts, slides, and outlines and turn them into the final product. That might look like:
- Authoring a course in Articulate Storyline or Rise
- Designing videos, animations, or voiceovers
- Laying out PDFs and job aids
- Building the facilitator guide your trainer will actually thank you for
♦️ Reality check: In many organizations, IDs wear both the “designer” and “developer” hats. It’s a lot, but also kind of awesome when you see your work come to life.
Phase 4: Implementation (aka Showtime)
Lights, camera, rollout. This phase is about getting your shiny new learning experience into the hands (or screens) of actual learners. That could involve:
- Uploading courses to the LMS
- Notifying users or auto-enrolling them
- Coordinating with facilitators
- Supporting trainers during live delivery
Think of this as your launch phase. Your job: make sure the tech works, the logistics are tight, and the learners actually show up.
Phase 5: Evaluation (aka Was It Worth It?)
This is the part where we measure if the training actually, you know, worked. Using Kirkpatrick’s four levels as a guide, you want to assess:
- Did people like it?
- Did they learn anything?
- Are they applying it?
- Is it helping the business?
You can also calculate ROI if you want to really impress the execs.
♦️ The catch? Like analysis, evaluation often gets skipped. But skipping it is like never reading the reviews of a restaurant before going…it might work out or it might be a total disaster. Better to check.
Is ADDIE Still Worth Using?
Love it or leave it, ADDIE’s been around longer than most of us have been in the game. It’s the classic five-step framework you probably learned first and for good reason. It offers structure, sanity, and a common language for instructional designers everywhere. But just like any model, it has its ups and downs. Here’s a quick breakdown of where ADDIE shines and where it might hold you back.
The Good Stuff:
- It’s a rock-solid foundation.
- Hiring managers still love it.
- It helps scope projects and set timelines.
- It gives you street cred with L&D pros.
The Not-So-Good:
- When treated like a rigid checklist, it can feel clunky.
- It’s not ideal for rapid-fire, agile environments.
- Many orgs skip analysis and evaluation (the two MVPs, ironically).
So no, ADDIE isn’t perfect. But it’s flexible, and it plays well with others. You can pair it with Agile, SAM, or even sprinkle it into your own Franken-process.
TL;DR: ADDIE Still Slaps
At the end of the day, ADDIE is less “instructional design dinosaur” and more “timeless blueprint that adapts as you do.”
Learn it. Use it. Break it (if needed). Just don’t ignore it.
So, next time you’re staring down a big course build wondering, “Where do I even start?”…you’ve got a pretty great answer.
Curious how to bring ADDIE into your own workflow? Let’s talk. I’ll bring the strategy; you bring the snacks. 🍿📋