This concept project is a scenario-based learning experience designed and developed to help project managers lead an effective 1-on-1 and provide constructive feedback.

• Audience: Lead Project Managers who are responsible for managing other project managers.

• Responsibilities: Instructional Design, eLearning Development, Visual Design

• Tools Used: Articulate Storyline 360, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, and Vyond. 

Overview

A major SaaS company observed that their lead project managers were having difficulties conducting effective one-on-one meetings. Often, these sessions were overly casual and failed to deliver proper feedback, tackle necessary issues, or provide positive reinforcement. To address this problem, they enlisted my assistance.

Through a needs analysis, I identified that a scenario-based learning experience would be an ideal solution. This approach would immerse the lead project managers in a realistic simulation of the one-on-one meeting process, helping them improve their performance.

Process

I designed and developed this project with the following steps. Each section played an important part in developing the fully-functioning learning experience.

• Created the Action Map

• Wrote the Text-based Storyboard

• Designed the Visual Mockups

• Developed the Interactive Prototype

• Finalized and Published the Project

Action Map

I began to work with a Subject Matter Expert (SME) to develop an action map for the purposes of defining the overall goal for the learning experience. By creating what is essentially a blueprint, we identified the specific tasks and/or actions lead project managers would have to complete to ensure a 1-on-1 was successful. 

Since the project is centered on obtaining the skills necessary to effectively run a one on one, some of the observable actions that we laid out were specific to achieving that goal. If certain observable actions could be broken down further, we did so through additional branching. Once we prioritized the five key individual actions, those actions would then serve as the four questions that I would use to develop each interaction in the scenario.

After the SME reviewed and approved the action map, I moved on to the text-based storyboard.

Text-Based Storyboard

Once I identified all high-priority observable tasks and behaviors through action mapping, I drafted and iterated on a text-based storyboard to serve as a blueprint for my final product.
‍
To best help the learners meet the established performance goal, I prioritized the main features I wanted to include in the experience. It was important that the final product was scenario-driven and based on selected actions in the action map to avoid information overload.

Another priority was to include learner feedback based on selected choices. Through a mix of sound effects, wording, and visual design, the learner would receive positive reinforcement for correct decisions. The learner would learn from incorrect choices and try again.

Once I prioritized the critical assets of the course, I had a clear path for completing the storyboard in a way that would best help engage the learner in the scenario. 

Visual Mockups

When I was confident that my storyboard laid out an engaging, learner-centered experience, I moved on to the visual decision step of the process by creating mockups for my vision and iterating on them.

My main objective was to include visuals and scenes that helped tell the story while maintaining a balance of verbal, visual, and auditory information. I explored various images for inspiration. I created a style guide to ensure I was keeping fonts, colors, and spacing consistent, which I also created as part of the style guide. 

‍