Can a 45-year old ISD methodology keep up with the changes?

It’s true that FKA’s Instructional Systems Design (ISD) methodology is old. It was introduced by our founder, Paul A. Friesen, in 2 books he wrote and published:

• An Introduction to Instructional Programming. Published in 1970 by Friesen, Kaye & Associates, Ltd.
• Designing instruction: a systematic or “systems” approach using programmed instruction as a model. Published 1971 by Friesen, Kaye & Associates, Ltd. and in 1973 by Miller Pub. Co.

In the learning and development community, 45 years is definitely old. So I admit FKA’s ISD methodology is old, but it is now—and has always been—very agile; it definitely doesn’t look its age.

Click on Image to Enlarge

AGILE Instructional Design

The AGILE instructional design approach is a project-oriented approach introduced by Conrad Gottfredson, a performance-support practitioner. While describing an ‘agile’ process for developing e-learning, the acronym ‘AGILE’ was defined by Gottfredson to stand for: Align, Get set, Iterate and implement, Leverage and Evaluate.

Click on Image to EnlargeSo what makes FKA’s ISD methodology AGILE? Have a closer look at our Needs Identification phase. Determine Needs, the first half of the phase, is focused on alignment with the clients’ learning needs; and Plan Project, the second half, defines a cost-effective learning plan.

Click on Image to EnlargeWe have the AG but what about the rest of being agile – the ILE?

Click on Image to EnlargeSo, there you have it! FKA’s ISD methodology may look old but it can easily be used to follow an agile approach.

We will compare FKA’s ISD methodology to SAM in a later blog.