Agile for ID: Moving at Leaning Speed
Workflow Model
Use: Workflow / Process / Strategy
Best for: Fast-moving projects, iterative design
Related Concepts: MVP, Sprint, Rapid Prototyping
Instructional design is not just about timelines and templates. It is about people, and how we meet their needs quickly, flexibly, and with intention.
That is where Agile comes in.
Originally created for software development, Agile is not just a project management buzzword. It is a mindset—a way of thinking about work that prioritizes collaboration, speed, and constant improvement. Agile has become increasingly valuable for instructional designers who are building learning in fast-changing environments.
Whether you are supporting a sales team that is constantly evolving or launching just-in-time training for new technology, Agile can help you design smarter, faster, and better.
In this post, we will explore what Agile really means in an instructional design context, how it can enhance your workflow, and some strategies and scenarios that bring it to life.
What Is Agile for IDs (not Developers)
At its core, Agile is an iterative approach to getting work done. Instead of spending months building a full course from start to finish, Agile teams break projects into smaller, manageable chunks called sprints. These sprints typically last one to three weeks and allow for continuous feedback and adjustments along the way.
For instructional designers, Agile means:
- Collaborating early and often with stakeholders
- Creating in-progress prototypes instead of full, final courses
- Testing, revising, and improving in real time
- Focusing on outcomes, not just deliverables
You do not have to be a certified Scrum Master to use Agile. You just need a willingness to work iteratively, be transparent about progress, and welcome feedback before the course is considered “done.”
Reflection Question
Are you waiting until something feels finished before you share it, or could earlier feedback help you improve faster?
Why Agile Works for Instructional Design
Agile is not a replacement for instructional design models like ADDIE. It is a complement. Think of ADDIE as your foundation, and Agile as your way of working within it.
Here is how Agile helps:
- Faster timelines: You do not wait until the end to get feedback.
- Better alignment: SMEs and stakeholders stay engaged throughout the process.
- Greater flexibility: Changes can happen mid-course, not after launch.
- Stronger outcomes: Learners get what they need, when they need it.
When Agile Might Not Be the Right Fit
While Agile is powerful, it is not always the best approach. Some projects are better suited to more traditional models. Agile might not be the right fit if:
- Your course is highly regulated and must be approved before development begins.
- Stakeholders expect a full, polished product in the first delivery with no room for iteration.
- You are working with a rigid scope or fixed-price contract that does not allow for phased builds.
- Feedback cycles are not possible due to availability, legal constraints, or internal policy.
In these cases, using a simplified version of ADDIE or a waterfall-style plan might offer the structure and predictability your project needs.
Quick Tips for Applying Agile to Your Process
Create a Minimum Viable Product (MVP)
Build a first version with just enough content and interaction to be useful. Then refine it based on feedback. This MVP should follow proper grammar and punctuation, along with brand or style guidelines as applicable.
Break your learning solution into sprints
Focus on one module, course or modality at a time. Prioritize based on learner need and business value.
Schedule feedback loops
Build in regular reviews with SMEs and test learners. Set expectations that feedback is part of the process.
- Host Kickoff Meeting: Host a joint project start session so everyone understands the goals, timeline, and constraints.
- Use Shared Tools: Use shared tools for meetings, resources, items for review, and communication.
- Clarify Roles Early: Make sure each contributor knows what they ow, and when their input is needed.
- Review in Layers: Do informal check-ins at key milestones rather than waiting for a “big reveal” review.
Collaborate across roles
Involve developers, graphic designers, and project leads from the beginning to avoid late-stage surprises.
Reflection Question
Which of these strategies could improve your current workflow, and what would be the easiest one to try first?
Examples of Practical Scenarios
Scenario 1: Rapid Training for a New Tool Rollout
A company is introducing a new software tool to hundreds of employees. Instead of building a full course upfront, the instructional designer creates short screencasts for top-priority tasks and gathers learner feedback. Weekly updates refine the content based on real use.
Agile principles at work:
MVP, iterative development, continuous feedback.
Scenario 2: Sales Enablement Content in Fast Cycles
Sales managers request product refreshers every time marketing releases updates. The instructional design team moves to a two-week sprint cycle where they review needs, produce content, test, and deploy—all in under ten business days.
Agile principles at work:
Sprint-based planning, stakeholder collaboration, just-in-time learning.
Scenario 3: Updating Compliance Training with SME Input
Instead of waiting for full SME sign-off, the design team schedules three SME touchpoints during content creation. Each checkpoint reviews small parts of the course, speeding up the overall timeline and improving clarity.
Agile principles at work:
Early and frequent collaboration, iterative feedback.
Final Thoughts
Agile is not about moving fast for the sake of speed. It is about staying aligned, adaptable, and learner-focused in a world where things change quickly. When you use Agile methods to build instructional content, you make space for better conversations, stronger designs, and more relevant learning.
You do not need to overhaul your entire process. Just start small. Choose one sprint, one prototype, or one feedback loop.
Because as instructional designers, we are not just delivering learning. We are co-creating experiences that evolve over time.