The ADDIE Model: The Traditional, Comprehensive Framework
The ADDIE instructional design model is a linear, waterfall-style framework that has been a cornerstone of corporate training and large-scale project management for decades. Its name is an acronym for its five sequential phases, which provide a structured, systematic path from start to finish.
The 5 Phases of ADDIE Explained
1. Analysis
This foundational phase involves a thorough needs assessment. You identify the learning problem, the target audience, existing knowledge, resource constraints, and the overarching business or educational goals.
2. Design
In this phase, you create the course blueprint. This includes defining learning objectives, selecting assessment methods, choosing content and media, and outlining the instructional strategy. A detailed design document is often the primary deliverable.
3. Development
This is where the course content and materials are actually created. Instructional designers, developers, and subject matter experts collaborate to produce e-learning modules, video scripts, assessments, and all other assets outlined in the design phase.
4. Implementation
The course is delivered to learners. This phase involves uploading content to an LMS, training instructors, and ensuring learners have access to all necessary materials and support channels.
5. Evaluation
The final phase evaluates the course's effectiveness through formative evaluation (during the process) and summative evaluation (after implementation) to determine if objectives were met and gather feedback for future iterations.
When to Use ADDIE
- For large-scale, complex projects with many stakeholders where process and documentation are critical.
- When content and objectives are stable and unlikely to change during development.
- In environments requiring rigorous oversight, compliance checks, and formal sign-offs at each stage.
The Backward Design Model: The Outcomes-First Approach
The Backward Design instructional model, championed by Grant Wiggins and Jay McTighe, flips the traditional process. Instead of starting with content, it begins with the end goal: the desired learning outcomes. This model is the philosophical core of Outcome-Based Education (OBE) and is the preferred framework for academic course development and HEC ODL compliance.
The 3 Stages of Backward Design
Stage 1: Identify Desired Results
The first and most critical step is to define what learners must know, understand, and be able to do. These become your Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs), ensuring the entire course is purpose-driven and aligned with program goals (PLOs).
Stage 2: Determine Acceptable Evidence
Next, you design the assessments. You create the quizzes, projects, exams, and rubrics that will provide clear, valid proof that learners have mastered the CLOs. This unbreakable link between outcomes and assessments is the model's key strength.
Stage 3: Plan Learning Experiences
Only after defining outcomes and assessments do you plan the content and activities. Every lecture, reading, and discussion is chosen specifically to equip learners for success in the assessments, thereby guaranteeing they achieve the desired outcomes.
When to Use Backward Design
- In higher education and academic settings where deep learning and accreditation (CLO-MLO-PLO mapping) are paramount.
- For HEC ODL-compliant course design, as it is the foundation of the mandatory OBE framework.
- When mastery of specific skills or competencies is the primary goal, forcing a tight alignment between what is taught and what is assessed.
The SAM Model: The Agile, Iterative Alternative
The Successive Approximation Model (SAM), developed by Dr. Michael Allen, is an agile instructional design framework that prioritizes speed, iteration, and collaboration. It was created as a direct response to the perceived rigidity of ADDIE, offering a more flexible and dynamic process.
The Phases of SAM Explained
1. Preparation Phase
This initial phase involves gathering information and holding a "Savvy Start" meeting with stakeholders to brainstorm and establish the project's foundation. It is a rapid version of ADDIE's analysis phase.
2. Iterative Design Phase
This is the heart of SAM. The team rapidly cycles through designing, prototyping, and reviewing. Instead of a perfect design document, the team creates working prototypes, gathers feedback from stakeholders and end-users, and makes immediate adjustments.
3. Iterative Development Phase
Once the design is stable, the project moves into iterative development. The team develops, implements, and evaluates the learning product in small, manageable chunks. This cycle continues until the final version is ready for full rollout.
When to Use SAM
- For projects with tight deadlines where getting a functional product out quickly is a priority.
- When project requirements are unclear or likely to evolve, allowing for flexibility and adaptation.
- In highly collaborative environments where continuous feedback from stakeholders and SMEs is available and valued.
ADDIE vs. SAM vs. Backward Design: Head-to-Head
So, which is best? The answer depends entirely on your project's context, goals, and constraints. Here’s a direct instructional design models comparison:
| Aspect | ADDIE Model | Backward Design | SAM Model |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Point | Instructional analysis of needs and goals. | Desired learning outcomes and results. | Rapid prototyping and brainstorming. |
| Process Flow | Linear and sequential (waterfall). | Non-linear and outcome-focused. | Iterative and cyclical (agile). |
| Focus | Process-oriented; ensuring all steps are completed. | Results-oriented; ensuring learning is achieved. | Performance-oriented; ensuring the solution works. |
| Best For | Large, stable projects; corporate & government. | Higher education, skills mastery, HEC/OBE compliance. | Fast-paced projects, unclear requirements, creative solutions. |
| Key Strength | Comprehensive, systematic, and easy to manage. | Guarantees alignment between outcomes and assessments. | Speed, flexibility, and continuous feedback. |
| Potential Weakness | Rigid, slow to adapt, and front-loaded. | Less focused on the development process itself. | Can be messy without strong project management. |
Conclusion: The Right Model for the Right Job
The "ADDIE vs. SAM vs. Backward Design" debate isn't about which model is definitively superior, but which is the most appropriate tool for the task. ADDIE excels in structured, process-driven environments. SAM thrives in dynamic, collaborative settings where speed and iteration are key.
However, for instructional design in higher education, the Backward Design instructional model is unequivocally the best framework. Its unwavering focus on learning outcomes ensures that courses are not just "covered," but that learning is deeply embedded and demonstrably achieved. This is why it is the backbone of modern curriculum design and a non-negotiable for HEC ODL compliance and quality assurance in education.
At MENTISERA, our university course design services are built on the principles of Backward Design, but we integrate the systematic documentation of ADDIE and the collaborative spirit of SAM to deliver a hybrid approach. This ensures our courses are academically rigorous, accreditation-ready, and developed with stakeholder input, making us the ideal partner for universities navigating the shift to digital and blended learning.
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Whether you need to build a single HEC ODL-compliant course or design an entire degree program, our team is ready. We apply the best instructional design framework for your unique needs.