SuccessiveApproximationModel
DESIGNER'S INTRODUCTION
"SAVVY START "BRAINSTORMING SESSION
An iterative framework for rapid prototyping, design, development and continuous refinement.
PREPARATION
START HERE: SAM OVERVIEW
FOUNDERS
The people who shaped SAM.
ITERATIVE DESIGN
FOUNDATIONS OF SAM
The ideas and assumptions behind SAM.
ITERATIVE DEVELOPMENT
What SAM does well and where it struggles.
STRENGTHS & WEAKNESSES
Iterate
Collaborate
Real examples of SAM in action.
EXAMPLES IN USE
Review
RELEVANCE TO MY WORK
How I apply SAM in my work.
Michael Torocsik Advanced Practices in LXD Northeastern University
Revise
REFERENCES & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
BEFORE YOU EXPLORE
This brief introduction shares why I selected SAM, what stood out to me about the model, and how it connects to my own experience with instructional design and iterative software development.
REFERENCES & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
REFERENCES
Allen, M. W. (2012). Leaving ADDIE for SAM: An agile model for developing the best learning experiences. American Society for Training & Development.
Allen Interactions. (n.d.). Successive Approximation Model (SAM). Retrieved May 10, 2026, from
https://www.alleninteractions.com
Brown, T. (2008). Design thinking. Harvard Business Review, 86(6), 84–92.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I acknowledge the use of Generative AI tools (Microsoft Copilot) for brainstorming ideas, looking for sources, and suggesting edits to improve the length, clarity, and flow of this work. However, the final content is my own original writing, and I have verified all research and information against credible sources.
I also acknowledge the use of ChatGPT image generation for creating the illustrations shown in this infographic.
ITERATIVE DEVELOPMENT
Build and improve working prototypes.
Develop, interactions, functionality, and efficiencies.
Test early, fix issues, and refine quickly.
Review and revise with stakeholders throughout.
Refine early versions through testing before moving toward a final product.
Iterative Development helps teams test ideas, catch problems early, and improve the product as it takes shape.
Why It Matters
WHAT IS SAM?
SAM stands for the Successive Approximation Model. It is an iterative instructional design framework that encourages teams to prototype ideas early, gather feedback, and improve as they go.
Rather than trying to plan everything upfront, SAM assumes projects evolve through collaboration, testing, and revision. During Savvy Start and Iterative Design, teams move between designing, prototyping,and reviewing so ideas can improve before full development begins.
By moving through preparation, iterative design, and development, teams can respond to feedback, adjust direction, and improve solutions as projects evolve.
SAVVY START
Define the challenge and what success looks like.
Bring stakeholders together to share ideas and priorities.
Explore possibilities before locking into solutions.
Move between ideas, prototypes, and feedback.
Build consensus before full development begins.
Savvy Start gives teams space to explore ideas, gather input, and avoid locking into the wrong solution too early.
Why It Matters
FOUNDERS OF SAM
SUCCESSIVE APPROXIMATION MODEL (SAM)
DR. MICHAEL ALLEN
Created SAM as a response to slower, more rigid design models that often struggled in fast-moving projects.
ALLEN INTERACTIONS
SAM evolved through real client work and the experiences of designers at Allen Interactions.
REACTION TO TRADITIONAL ADDIE
SAM was designed to move faster by encouraging early prototyping, feedback, and revision throughout the process.
DR. MICHAEL ALLEN
Instructional Designer, Founder, Allen Interactions
To my taste, ADDIE fails to recognize the necessary creativeness and inventiveness of the work....
KEY SOURCE:
Leaving ADDIE for SAM an Agile Model for Developing the Best Learning Experiences by Michael Allen (2012)
DR. MICHAEL ALLEN
STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF SAM
STRENGTHS
WEAKNESSES
- Flexible and adaptable
- Encourages early feedback
- Helps reduce project risk
- Keeps learner needs in focus
- Supports collaboration
- Works well in changing environments
- Makes iteration part of the process
- Moves projects forward faster
- Can lead to scope creep
- Requires strong communication
- Depends on timely feedback
- Less predictable timelines
- Harder to estimate effort upfront
- Requires stakeholder buy-in
- Documentation may be lighter
- May not fit every project
Understanding both the strengths and limitations of SAM helps designers decide when flexibility is helpful and when more structure may be needed.
Why It Matters
ITERATIVE DESIGN
Create and refine prototypes in short cycles.
Gather feedback from stakeholders before moving too far ahead.
Review ideas, identify gaps, and refine the direction.
Adjust content, interactions, and design choices as needed.
Move through cycles of design, prototype, and review to improve the solution.
Iterative Design helps teams explore possibilities, test assumptions, and avoid locking into the wrong solution too early.
Why It Matters
EXAMPLES IN USE
EXAMPLE 2: As a solutions analyst and technologist, my projects are never straightforward. SAM offers the most flexibility, supports rapid iteration and feedback cycles, and encourages revisions as projects evolve.
EXAMPLE 1: Allen Interactions uses SAM to create scenario-based learning experiences through rapid prototyping, feedback, and revision. Teams test ideas early and refine them through short cycles.
New features for live products often require an iterative approach that improve flexibility and outcomes.
Early prototypes surface risks and improve solutions faster.
Live testing sessions often involve making improvements on the fly, presenting options, and shortening review cycles.
Stakeholder and learner feedback guide each iteration.
User feedback shapes feature improvements. For larger projects, feedback comes in via helpdesk tickets.
Realistic scenarios and interactions evolve through input.
Practical results include relevant learning that meets the needs of actual learners.
Iteration balances learner needs with changing project realities.
Source: Based on professional experience in solutions analysis and instructional design.
Source: Michael Allen, Leaving ADDIE for SAM: An Agile Model for Developing the Best Learning Experiences (2016)
RELEVANCE TO MY WORK
My work often involves translating stakeholder needs into practical elearning solutions.
What stands out to me about SAM is that it reflects how projects really work: collaborative, constantly changing, and often messy.
Much of my work involves improving tools and experiences over time, especially when usability issues or new functionality emerge.
Priorities shift quickly, making flexibility necessary and revisions unavoidable. Making updates quickly is necessary.
I often have to balance learner needs with stakeholder expectations, timelines, and organizational constraints.
PREPARATION
Identify learner needs, existing skills, and gaps in knowledge.
Align project goals, scope, and constraints with stakeholders.
Review existing content and document project requirements.
Conduct a "Savvy Start" brainstorming session.
Create early sketches, lists, and storyboards.
Why It Matters
Preparation creates enough shared understanding to begin prototyping quickly without excessive planning.
FOUNDATIONS OF SAM
Learning solutions rarely work perfectly the first time. SAM assumes improvement happens through feedback and revision.
Real-world problems are complex. SAM assumes teams cannot fully predict needs upfront.
SAM draws from design thinking, encouraging teams to prototype, test ideas, and improve as they go.
SAM reflects systems thinking by treating design as something shaped through feedback and collaboration.
SAM recognizes that improvement usually happens through testing ideas and making adjustments over time.
Understanding the foundations of SAM helps explain why the model feels more realistic in fast-moving, real-world projects.
Why It Matters
SAM
Michael Torocsik
Created on May 7, 2026
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Transcript
SuccessiveApproximationModel
DESIGNER'S INTRODUCTION
"SAVVY START "BRAINSTORMING SESSION
An iterative framework for rapid prototyping, design, development and continuous refinement.
PREPARATION
START HERE: SAM OVERVIEW
FOUNDERS
The people who shaped SAM.
ITERATIVE DESIGN
FOUNDATIONS OF SAM
The ideas and assumptions behind SAM.
ITERATIVE DEVELOPMENT
What SAM does well and where it struggles.
STRENGTHS & WEAKNESSES
Iterate
Collaborate
Real examples of SAM in action.
EXAMPLES IN USE
Review
RELEVANCE TO MY WORK
How I apply SAM in my work.
Michael Torocsik Advanced Practices in LXD Northeastern University
Revise
REFERENCES & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
BEFORE YOU EXPLORE
This brief introduction shares why I selected SAM, what stood out to me about the model, and how it connects to my own experience with instructional design and iterative software development.
REFERENCES & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
REFERENCES
Allen, M. W. (2012). Leaving ADDIE for SAM: An agile model for developing the best learning experiences. American Society for Training & Development.
Allen Interactions. (n.d.). Successive Approximation Model (SAM). Retrieved May 10, 2026, from https://www.alleninteractions.com
Brown, T. (2008). Design thinking. Harvard Business Review, 86(6), 84–92.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I acknowledge the use of Generative AI tools (Microsoft Copilot) for brainstorming ideas, looking for sources, and suggesting edits to improve the length, clarity, and flow of this work. However, the final content is my own original writing, and I have verified all research and information against credible sources. I also acknowledge the use of ChatGPT image generation for creating the illustrations shown in this infographic.
ITERATIVE DEVELOPMENT
Build and improve working prototypes.
Develop, interactions, functionality, and efficiencies.
Test early, fix issues, and refine quickly.
Review and revise with stakeholders throughout.
Refine early versions through testing before moving toward a final product.
Iterative Development helps teams test ideas, catch problems early, and improve the product as it takes shape.
Why It Matters
WHAT IS SAM?
SAM stands for the Successive Approximation Model. It is an iterative instructional design framework that encourages teams to prototype ideas early, gather feedback, and improve as they go. Rather than trying to plan everything upfront, SAM assumes projects evolve through collaboration, testing, and revision. During Savvy Start and Iterative Design, teams move between designing, prototyping,and reviewing so ideas can improve before full development begins. By moving through preparation, iterative design, and development, teams can respond to feedback, adjust direction, and improve solutions as projects evolve.
SAVVY START
Define the challenge and what success looks like.
Bring stakeholders together to share ideas and priorities.
Explore possibilities before locking into solutions.
Move between ideas, prototypes, and feedback.
Build consensus before full development begins.
Savvy Start gives teams space to explore ideas, gather input, and avoid locking into the wrong solution too early.
Why It Matters
FOUNDERS OF SAM
SUCCESSIVE APPROXIMATION MODEL (SAM)
DR. MICHAEL ALLEN
Created SAM as a response to slower, more rigid design models that often struggled in fast-moving projects.
ALLEN INTERACTIONS
SAM evolved through real client work and the experiences of designers at Allen Interactions.
REACTION TO TRADITIONAL ADDIE
SAM was designed to move faster by encouraging early prototyping, feedback, and revision throughout the process.
DR. MICHAEL ALLEN
Instructional Designer, Founder, Allen Interactions
To my taste, ADDIE fails to recognize the necessary creativeness and inventiveness of the work....
KEY SOURCE:
Leaving ADDIE for SAM an Agile Model for Developing the Best Learning Experiences by Michael Allen (2012)
DR. MICHAEL ALLEN
STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF SAM
STRENGTHS
WEAKNESSES
Understanding both the strengths and limitations of SAM helps designers decide when flexibility is helpful and when more structure may be needed.
Why It Matters
ITERATIVE DESIGN
Create and refine prototypes in short cycles.
Gather feedback from stakeholders before moving too far ahead.
Review ideas, identify gaps, and refine the direction.
Adjust content, interactions, and design choices as needed.
Move through cycles of design, prototype, and review to improve the solution.
Iterative Design helps teams explore possibilities, test assumptions, and avoid locking into the wrong solution too early.
Why It Matters
EXAMPLES IN USE
EXAMPLE 2: As a solutions analyst and technologist, my projects are never straightforward. SAM offers the most flexibility, supports rapid iteration and feedback cycles, and encourages revisions as projects evolve.
EXAMPLE 1: Allen Interactions uses SAM to create scenario-based learning experiences through rapid prototyping, feedback, and revision. Teams test ideas early and refine them through short cycles.
New features for live products often require an iterative approach that improve flexibility and outcomes.
Early prototypes surface risks and improve solutions faster.
Live testing sessions often involve making improvements on the fly, presenting options, and shortening review cycles.
Stakeholder and learner feedback guide each iteration.
User feedback shapes feature improvements. For larger projects, feedback comes in via helpdesk tickets.
Realistic scenarios and interactions evolve through input.
Practical results include relevant learning that meets the needs of actual learners.
Iteration balances learner needs with changing project realities.
Source: Based on professional experience in solutions analysis and instructional design.
Source: Michael Allen, Leaving ADDIE for SAM: An Agile Model for Developing the Best Learning Experiences (2016)
RELEVANCE TO MY WORK
My work often involves translating stakeholder needs into practical elearning solutions.
What stands out to me about SAM is that it reflects how projects really work: collaborative, constantly changing, and often messy.
Much of my work involves improving tools and experiences over time, especially when usability issues or new functionality emerge.
Priorities shift quickly, making flexibility necessary and revisions unavoidable. Making updates quickly is necessary.
I often have to balance learner needs with stakeholder expectations, timelines, and organizational constraints.
PREPARATION
Identify learner needs, existing skills, and gaps in knowledge.
Align project goals, scope, and constraints with stakeholders.
Review existing content and document project requirements.
Conduct a "Savvy Start" brainstorming session.
Create early sketches, lists, and storyboards.
Why It Matters
Preparation creates enough shared understanding to begin prototyping quickly without excessive planning.
FOUNDATIONS OF SAM
Learning solutions rarely work perfectly the first time. SAM assumes improvement happens through feedback and revision.
Real-world problems are complex. SAM assumes teams cannot fully predict needs upfront.
SAM draws from design thinking, encouraging teams to prototype, test ideas, and improve as they go.
SAM reflects systems thinking by treating design as something shaped through feedback and collaboration.
SAM recognizes that improvement usually happens through testing ideas and making adjustments over time.
Understanding the foundations of SAM helps explain why the model feels more realistic in fast-moving, real-world projects.
Why It Matters