Macro-Design
SAM (Successive Approximation)
Agile, iterative alternative to ADDIE for rapid workshop building
3 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.
The 3 Steps
Follow this sequence to apply SAM (Successive Approximation)
1
Preparation
2
Iterative Design
3
Iterative Development
What You'll Achieve
Ensures your session has clear goals, logical flow, and measurable outcomes.
This session can be iterated quickly based on participant feedback.
Practical Tips
How to get the most out of this framework
- 1Start by defining what success looks like at the end
- 2Work backwards from outcomes to activities
- 3Build in checkpoints to verify learning
- 4Allow time for practice and application
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.