This method can be used for a lot of different purposes. The main idea is that you have multiple people generating cards and then you group the cards into categories or themes.
A couple of the tools I have used online are Optimal Workshop and Fun Retro
Optimal Workshop offers open card sorting, closed card sorting, and will help create dendrograms.
FunRetro now called EasyRetro is great for creating themes such as during an Agile sprint retrospective or as part of a hierarchical task analysis.
I primarily used this tool to create heatmaps or gaze plots for websites and mobile responsive sites. They have a LOT of new tools used with augmented reality and virtual reality that look very promising.
Visio is one of those tools that is useful to visualize many things. I have mostly used it for the following:
Here is a blurred out example for a support flow that shows the type of swimlane document I would commonly use/see when communicating with our business analysts, system architects, and business owners.
One of the systems I administrated at Illinois State Universities was Turning Point. This was a classroom response system that was used for multiple purposes including classroom engagement, classroom enrichment, and learning assessment.
Here is an example of a live polling screen used in a classroom.
Here is an example of a self-paced quiz that could be used after watching a video or attending an event/lecture.
Quizziz is one of those K-12 tools that translates well into corporate training. It adds gamification to training. Each person answers the questions at their own pace. Reinforcement on correct answers is given after each person completes a question. Facilitators can see performance both individually and as a group. Debriefing can be focused on the most confusing points.
This tool also translates well into Virtual Instructor Led Training (VILT).
Here is an example of a question
Here is an example of the live feedback
Here is an example of overall quiz performance that you can use to prioritize your debriefing.
Kahoot! is one of those K-12 tools that translates well into corporate training. The principles for engagement and competition are still psychologically relevant across multiple demographics. It reinforces with both recall and recognition. Reinforcement on correct answers is given after each question.
This tool also translates well into Virtual Instructor Led Training (VILT).
Here is an example of a question
Here is an example of an answer with a leader board
These are more conceptual approaches. Generally, each project may employ multiple approaches.
User-centered design
Activity-centered design
Systems design
Genius design
The metaphor I have heard is as follows:
ADDIE = Ready, Aim-Aim-Aim-Aim-Aim, FIRE! Oops, the target isn’t what we want to hit any more.
SAM = Ready, FIRE, aim, FIRE Again. You had some initial errors but you hit the target.
Similar to the debate between Waterfall and Agile, rapid content development fits situations where intake is not as controllable or time to market is the highest priority. When there is the ability for deeper analysis or concurrent work, then Addie may be a better fit.
Waterfall methods = ADDIE for training, SDLC for software development
Iterative methods = SAM for training, Agile for software development
Here are two examples of concept models of a website logical structure that students in my class delivered. This is similar to models I have generated in my corporate work.
Agile done with dedicated teams, leadership buy-in, and the ability to iterate is a magnificent thing. Agile done without the ability to empower teams is a tough ride. I have even experienced role teams doing agile but then handing off work in a waterfall method to the next role team (such as designers off to programmers). This hybrid “AgileFall” has worked well in some of my experiences as well.
Learn more about Agile and Waterfall
The software development lifecycle (SDLC) is an example of a waterfall method geared towards software deployment. ADDIE is a waterfall method geared towards delivery of training.
