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Macro-Design

The 5 Moments of Need

A performance-first instructional design framework that focuses on supporting learners at their exact point of need in their daily workflow. It shifts the instructional paradigm from formal training events to continuous, on-the-job performance support.

5 phasesMacro-Design
When to Use This Framework

When you need to design a complete learning experience from scratch

You're planning a workshop, training, or learning session and need a proven structure to organize your content and activities.

Highly effective for complex operational procedures, software rollouts, compliance training, and environments where rapid change makes traditional memorization-based training obsolete.

The 5 Steps
Follow this sequence to apply The 5 Moments of Need
1

1. Learn New (Learning for the first time)

2

2. Learn More (Expanding on what has been learned)

3

3. Apply (Acting upon what has been learned in the workflow)

4

4. Change (Adapting to modifications, updates, or new processes)

5

5. Solve (Troubleshooting when things go wrong)

What You'll Achieve

Ensures your session has clear goals, logical flow, and measurable outcomes.

Designers can integrate this by mapping learning objectives directly to workflow tasks, creating Electronic Performance Support Systems (EPSS) or job aids first, and then designing formal training ('Learn New' and 'Learn More') around how to use those tools to 'Apply', 'Change', and 'Solve' on the job.

Practical Tips
How to get the most out of this framework
  • 1
    Start by defining what success looks like at the end
  • 2
    Work backwards from outcomes to activities
  • 3
    Build in checkpoints to verify learning
  • 4
    Allow time for practice and application
Best For
  • Workflow Learning
  • Performance Support
  • Systems and Software Training
  • Operational Enablement
Key Principles
  • Design for performance first, training second.
  • Enable self-reliance by providing support within 2 clicks or 10 seconds in the workflow.
  • Align learning assets directly to the context of the user's daily tasks.
  • Reduce cognitive load in formal training by offloading reference information to job aids.
Watch Out For
  • Requires a cultural shift from measuring 'seat time' to measuring performance outcomes.
  • Demands ongoing maintenance of performance support assets to ensure they remain accurate and relevant.
  • Relies heavily on accessible technology infrastructure to deliver support in the flow of work.
Related Frameworks
Other Macro-Design frameworks you might find useful
70:20:10 ModelBalance experiential, social, and formal learning
Kepner-Tregoe (KT) Rational ProcessA systematic, data-driven methodology for objective decision-making and root cause analysis. It provides a structured language and set of tools to decouple emotion from complex organizational challenges, ensuring teams reach evidence-based conclusions.
Design ThinkingDesign Thinking is a human-centered, iterative problem-solving methodology. It focuses on understanding user needs, challenging assumptions, and creating innovative solutions through prototyping and testing.