On time. In budget. What they need (even if that changes!). These are moving targets and yet, you're expected to deliver all three. The software development industry is embracing Agile project management to address these issues and there is much that we in learning & development can learn from them. Agile provides a framework for adapting to change as it happens and working with the project sponsor to deliver the content most needed by learners. In this session, you'll learn about the Agile project management methods adapted specifically for instructional design & development projects — Lot Like Agile Management Approach (LLAMA®)—and how to use them on the job. We’ll cover everything from kicking off a project with a solid definition of scope all the way through the process of estimating and planning the work. Your takeaways include templates and techniques for goal alignment, learner personas, scope definition, estimating, planning, and iterative development.

1. LLAMA
Agile Project
Management for
Instructional Designers
Training Conference 2019 | Session 413
Megan Torrance | mtorrance@torrancelearning.com

2. Megan Torrance
mtorrance@torrancelearning.com
@MMTorrance | @xAPIGnome | @Tlearning

3. 3

4. Build the case for Agile
Deliver projects
on time, in
budget, that
meet the need
Describe it to others
Write learner personas
Define the scope
Build the environment
Get started!
Estimate the effort
!
Plan the project
Develop in iterations
Align with goals
Identify work tasks Kick off the project

5. Build the case for Agile
Articulate why traditional approaches to project
planning are lacking
5

6. Think about your
best project ever.
6

7. 7
Source: Wikimedia Commons
NASA_Space_Shuttle_Atlantis_landing_(
STS-110)_(19_April_2002).jpg
Our projects are complex &
we have to keep up with an
ever-increasing rate
of change.

8. 8
ANALYZE
DESIGN
DEVELOP
IMPLEMENT
EVALUATE
TIME

9. The first day of a project
is the worst day to plan what
the end product will be
(and how much it will cost).
9

10. 10
iStockphoto.com/10587442
ANALYZE
DESIGN
DEVELOP
IMPLEMENT
EVALUATE
TIME

11. 11
A
D
I+E
D
I+E
D
DD D
TIME

12. Agile is …
An iterative, incremental method
of guiding design & build projects
in a highly flexible & interactive manner,
focusing on maximizing customer value
and fostering high team engagement.
12

13. 13

14. LLAMA is …
An iterative, incremental method
of guiding instructional design projects
in a highly flexible & interactive manner,
focusing on maximizing customer value
and fostering high team engagement.
14

15. THE AGILE MANIFESTO:
We are uncovering better ways
of developing software
by doing it and
helping others do it...
17
source: www.agilemanifesto.org

16. Through this work we have
come to value:
Individuals and interactions
over
processes and tools
18
source: www.agilemanifesto.org

17. Through this work we have
come to value:
working software
over
comprehensive documentation
19
source: www.agilemanifesto.org

18. Through this work we have
come to value:
customer collaboration
over
contract negotiation
20
source: www.agilemanifesto.org

19. Through this work we have
come to value:
responding to change
over
following a plan
21
source: www.agilemanifesto.org

20. 22
Dollarphotoclub_25873819

21. 12 Agile
Principles
Deliver frequently
Communicate richly
Keep work sane & humane
Work smart & learn continuously
2323

22. Build the case for Agile
Deliver projects
on time, in
budget, that
meet the need
Describe it to others
Write learner personas
Define the scope
Build the environment
Get started!
Estimate the effort
!
Plan the project
Develop in iterations
Align with goals
Identify work tasks Kick off the project

23. Define the Goal
Begin the project with the
*agreed upon* end in mind.
25

24. Your goal is
not to create
training.
• Increase Revenue
• Decrease Cost
• Improve Service or Product
• Grow people’s capacity
• Comply with rules & regulations
• Serve the Mission
26

25. Write Learner Personas
Use learner personas as a guide to keeping training
design & your project focused.
27

26. 28
http://www.elcidweddings.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Real-
AdobeStock_211557660

28. Define Scope with
Stories
Write learner stories and story cards to define scope
and plan the project.
30

29. Stories capture business needs
and performance outcomes
in a format that's useful for
planning & production.
31Story Cards 3 Things

30. blog.cathy-moore.com
32
http://blog.cathy-moore.com/

31. Practice in
Training
Knowledge
Required
Goal
Adapted from: CathyMoore
Behavior on
the Job
Nail roof
shingles safely
Remove a
kidney stone
Provide verbal feedback
to teammates
Collect &
enter data
accurately

32. 34
Their job Your job

33. Prioritize work on stories based
on value to the stakeholders.
35

34. Build the case for Agile
Deliver projects
on time, in
budget, that
meet the need
Describe it to others
Write learner personas
Define the scope
Build the environment
Get started!
Estimate the effort
!
Plan the project
Develop in iterations
Align with goals
Identify work tasks Kick off the project

35. Identify & estimate work
tasks
Create the task list for the
first round of work to be done.
37

36. 38

37. Rules for
Estimating
Break things into the smallest feasible
chunk.
The person who does the work estimates
the work.
Estimate based on what you think it will take
to do the work, with no padding.
Account for the uncertainty of large things.
39

38. Create a 30 minute
elearning module
40

39. Meet with SME to
onboard her to the
project
41
½.1.2.3.5.8.13.21

40. Review materials from
last time class was
delivered
42
½.1.2.3.5.8.13.21

41. Prep the set &
equipment for shooting
a video
43
½.1.2.3.5.8.13.21

42. Set up quiz questions
in course authoring
package
44
½.1.2.3.5.8.13.21

43. Upload elearning to
LMS and test
45
½.1.2.3.5.8.13.21

44. Write the level 1
evaluation for this
course
46
½.1.2.3.5.8.13.21

45. Why might an estimate
be wrong?
47

46. When the
estimate is
wrong....
1. Speak up as soon as you know.
2. Say "thank you“.
3. Understand why.
4. Figure out what to do next.
5. Communicate with the client.
48

47. Lather, Rinse, Repeat
Iterate!
Plan for small, meaningful iterations that allow for
review and adjustment.
49

48. Make small mistakes faster.
Skip the big mistakes.
50Richard Sheridan, Agile Explained

49. Do the
simplest
thing that
could
possibly
work.
51
M.V.P.
Minimum Viable Product

50. 52
D
I+E
D
I+E
D
DD D
TIME
I+E

51. How to
iterate?
Alpha > Beta > Final
By Project Phase
By Delivery Medium
By level of finish/functionality
By language
By audience
53

52. Megan’s
Rules for
Iterations
It does real work.
Someone else has to use it.
You gather data.
Data informs the work to do in the next
iteration.
54

53. Plan the project
Prioritize and schedule work & the resources you need
55

54. Define at the outset
what type of project this is.
56iStockphoto.com/4689051

55. Zero-
Surprises
Projects
1. Break big things into little ones.
2. Plan from the big to the little.
3. Work from the little to the big.
(if they don’t match, start talking)
4. Make it visual.
57

56. 58

57. 59

58. Organize
weekly work
by day and
team
member.
60

59. 61

60. Build the case for Agile
Deliver projects
on time, in
budget, that
meet the need
Describe it to others
Write learner personas
Define the scope
Build the environment
Get started!
Estimate the effort
!
Plan the project
Develop in iterations
Align with goals
Identify work tasks Kick off the project

61. Make it your own
Modify approach to fit own work environment and
organizational culture.
63

62. Megan Torrance
mtorrance@torrancelearning.com
@MMTorrance | @xAPIGnome | @Tlearning
Questions &
Thoughts?
64

63. 65