Skipping the "A"

So you think you can skip the Analysis for your learning solution? You think the project team did a great job explaining what the issue is and you know the best resolution?

The Analysis step in ADDIE methodology is a crucial phase that sets the stage for the instructional design process, but is too often rushed or replaced with an A for Assumption. This undermines the effectiveness of the rest of ADDIE: Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation. The primary goal of your Analysis is to identify the learning needs, define the instructional goals, understand the audience, and determine the content that needs to be covered. When this step is not thorough, it can lead to you developing learning solutions that are misaligned with the actual needs of the learners and the organization.

The common reasons for bypassing or rushing the Analysis phase is the pressure to deliver training quickly or this key step replaced with an A for Assumption.

Stakeholders and project sponsors may be eager to have a learning deliverable in-hand without fully understanding the importance of the upfront analysis work. The pressure to deliver training quickly can lead instructional designers to jump straight into content creation, based on assumptions rather than data-driven insights. As a result, the training may not address the root cause of performance gaps or may focus on the wrong skills altogether, leading to ineffective learning solutions and wasted resources.

Another factor contributing to the neglect of the Analysis phase is a lack of awareness or understanding of its value among stakeholders. Some stakeholders may perceive it as an unnecessary or overly time-consuming step, especially in fast-paced environments where quick wins are prioritized. They think they understand what their audience needs/wants without having talked directly to that core audience.

However, skipping your analysis can lead to more work down the line. Courses may need significant revisions, additional resources may be required to fill in that could have been identified and addressed during the analysis stage, or the root-cause of the initial issue wasn’t addressed in the learning solution and additional training is needed to resolve it.

It is essential for instructional designers and project teams to advocate for an Analysis phase and communicate its benefits to stakeholders. By investing time upfront in a thorough needs assessment, identifying learner characteristics, and setting clear instructional objectives, you can avoid misaligned training and create targeted, effective learning solutions.

A well-executed Analysis phase is a critical step that ensures the entire ADDIE process is grounded in a solid understanding of the learning needs and goals, leading to more impactful and efficient training outcomes.