Work flow that Works
Over the years, the focus on iterative design cycles with attention to measurable results has been discussed by many Web developers. The book “Web Redesign 2.0″, written by the user-experience and interaction designer Kelly Goto and the founder of the agency Waxcreative Design, explains why iterative design cycles are key to achieving success. “By breaking large projects up in to smaller, more regularly paced and manageable releases, iterations can more closely be tied to specific business goals. It is important to note that not all iterative improvements will be visible to the end-user. Cost-effectiveness drives theses improvements”, they explain.
Additionally, iterative process allows for quick prototyping. These studies evolve ideas into great applications, taking into consideration budget and time constraints. Please, check the diagrams below:
Not surprisingly, many e-learning professionals are adopting the iterative cycle in place of the old ADDIE model (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, Evaluation). According to Michael Allen, the use of functional prototypes and an iterative cycle enable subject-matter experts and others on the design team to fully grasp the nature of the envisioned interactions and spot errors in the specification in order to prevent them from becoming part of the final e-learning application. “Quick iterations allow exploration of multiple ideas. Successive approximation and alternative designs need to be developed with just enough functionality for everyone [including students] to understand and evaluate the proposed approaches.” He says that this prototyping approach is just the opposite of the ADDIE, which works for perfection at each point and intends to perform each process only once.
*Diagrams based on Michael Allen,
Kelly Goto and Emily Cotler studies