Ultimate Guide to the Successive Approximation Model (SAM)

In the ever-evolving business world, adaptability is a key component for the successful execution of projects. Thus, adopting a dynamic approach, like the successive approximation model, comes off as a necessity, rather than a means to increase efficiency.

The Standish Group research shows that 31.1% of the projects fail due to a lack of user input, and incomplete or changing requirements. This shows why a user-focused methodology is important to align with the stakeholders' goals and drive high-quality solutions.

Based on the principles of continuous collaboration, periodic prototyping, and follow-up improvements, the successive approximation model (SAM), thus, provides an effective framework that completely transforms the developmental process. Let’s dive in!  

What is the Successive Approximation Model?

The successive approximation model is an agile, developmental methodology based on rapid prototyping, feedback, and iterative improvements, depending on the feedback. Compared to traditional instructional design models, SAM allows quick solutions that keep on evolving, based on stakeholders and user feedback. This provides high-quality results that align with your business’s requirements. 

Source: LinkedIn

A comparative case study of traditional and agile management methods like SAM shows more than 58.5% success rate. This iterative model allows early detection of potential issues, incorporation of stakeholders' feedback, and close alignment with the company’s vision, resulting in better output. 

Successive approximation psychology basically thrives on testing, implementing, refining, and reimplementing, instead of achieving perfection in the initial stages. With the successive approximation model, you can reduce the probability of costly, time-consuming revisions late in the project. By focusing on open collaboration and user input throughout the project lifecycle, SAM achieves remarkable results in record time. 

SAM vs ADDIE: Which Is Better? 

The successive approximation model (SAM) is primarily a variation of the ADDIE model. ADDIE training model (Analyze, Design, Develop, Implement, Evaluate) believes in perfecting the program before rolling it out, while SAM emphasizes making adjustments along the way. 

Let’s have a look at a side-by-side comparison between the two: 

‍

Source: WaterBearLearning

ADDIE Model of Instructional Design

The main drawback of the ADDIE model is the time consumption. This is understandable since traditional e-learning models believe in perfecting the solutions before implementing them. It uses a “waterfall approach” that aims at completing one step before moving to the next. 

While there's nothing wrong with this approach, it leaves a small room for making adjustments to your program. Thus, if your team prefers a systematic approach, ADDIE is a better choice for you. It works exceptionally well for large, predictable projects where requirements are unlikely to change.

SAM Model of Instructional Design 

Successive approximation models, on the other hand, use an agile methodology to reiterate and make changes at each step based on the feedback. It is an excellent option for flexible, user-driven projects, based on an iterative framework. SAM offers you a chance to learn through practical prototypes and refine the programs based on the feedback. 

However, its resource-intensive nature renders it unsuitable for projects with limited flexibility, budget, and resources. It also requires active engagement and feedback from the stakeholders at all times, without which, the process may be delayed. 

So, which one is a better choice? 

Both models suit different types of projects, based on their size and dynamics. Therefore, the choice depends on your project goals and objectives. Whether you opt for ADDIE or SAM, make sure you perform your due diligence and understand how both these models work. Go through successful instructional design examples to clear your concepts for a better understanding. 

Source: Infodiaghram

Phases of the SAM Model

The successive approximation model consists of three phases: preparation, iterative design, and iterative development. Each phase can be revisited anytime during the development to make necessary changes based on user feedback. 

Source: SketchBubble

1. Preparation Phase

The preparation phase lays the groundwork for the project by collecting background information. This includes current employee training materials, employees' strengths and weaknesses, available content, budget, goals, and objectives. However, this is not a one-size-fits-all approach. It varies depending on your business requirements. 

Compared to traditional instructional design models, the preparatory phase for SAM is relatively quick. It does not require thorough research requiring weeks or months, since you will be prototyping and making adjustments anyway. 

The preparation phase also involves “Savvy Start”- a collaborative, brainstorming event. It allows all the members of the project, including the stakeholders, design team, project managers, and SMEs to come together, brainstorm ideas, and generate rough prototypes. This helps the entire team be on the same page and add valuable input before starting the project. 

2. Iterative Design Phase 

The iterative design phase mainly consists of designing, prototyping, and reviewing the finalized ideas from the savvy start. Keeping the feedback in view, the initial prototypes are refined and presented to the stakeholders and SMEs for further constructive feedback. 

The Harvard Business Review states that rapid prototyping generates data that clients can see and gain confidence from. Collaborating with stakeholders and SMEs and taking iterative feedback reduces the likelihood of late changes, significantly cutting down project costs. 

During this phase, the project manager also assigns tasks to the respective team members and sets the deadline. Since the key component of SAM is iteration, be prepared to go through several rounds of iteration and back. The successive approximation model encourages multiple designs for the prototype. This allows the team more creative freedom and helps the stakeholders visualize the outcome. 

3. Iterative Development Phase

The last step in the successive approximation model is iterative development, in which the finalized prototype is developed and implemented. Three fully functional versions of the final product are developed as alpha, beta, and gold versions. 

• Alpha: The alpha version is the first, completely functional version. It allows you to visualize the final program and make changes, if needed, to the style guide, content, and graphics. 
• Beta: The beta version is a modified version of the alpha release, after necessary changes based on the feedback. If there are no issues to be fixed in the beta release, it can be considered as the Gold version. However, in case of even minor typographical errors, the beta version has to go through another phase of development. 
• Gold: This is the final phase of development where your program is fully functional, and doesn’t need any more enhancements. 

Benefits of the Successive Approximation Model

SAM helps businesses achieve better results by emphasizing rapid prototyping, feedback, and continuous improvement. Thanks to a user-centered approach that values learning and improvement, successive approximation models have made a significant mark in the business world. 

Source: Geradfriel

1. Reduced Time Frame  

The rapid prototyping reduces the developmental timeline by encouraging the team to test and polish the solutions continuously. This provides a competitive edge to your business by allowing your training course to hit the market early. By receiving iterative feedback, you can design a course tailored to your needs without wasting time on lengthy research processes, that may or may not provide successful results. 

2. Improved User Satisfaction

According to a study, projects using agile instructional design, like the successive approximation model, exhibit a 20% increase in customer satisfaction. This shows how constant engagement with stakeholders and users through iterative feedback enhances usability, ultimately increasing the satisfaction rate. 

3. Enhanced Creativity

The best part about SAM is that it does not stress perfection. Instead, it encourages imperfect solutions that can be perfected through iterations. This opens up doors of creativity that speed up the process, as well as, improve the overall output. By keeping several prototypes at hand and testing them continuously, you can also mitigate the risk of failure. 

4. Flexibility 

The highlight of the successive approximation model is its flexibility to adapt to changes in requirements. It allows you to go back to any phase and make necessary changes to keep the solution relevant. This saves the businesses money and time, that could be spent on other areas needing attention. 

5. Early Feedback

The iterative approach allows teams to identify and pick issues early in the process. The prototypes also help picture the outcomes without having to wait for months for complete development and implementation.  

Drawbacks of the Successive Approximation Model

With the numerous advantages of SAM, there are some disadvantages as well. If you are considering using the successive approximation model (SAM) for your next project, it is important to know the potential drawbacks. 

Source: Aaposto

1. Resource-Intensive

The constant iterations require repeated prototyping, testing, refining, and implementation. These continuous iterative cycles require more time, manpower, and resources to keep up with the timeline. Businesses with limited resources may find it hard to implement due to a lack of budget.

2. Overlapping Phases

Unlike traditional developmental models, SAM does not follow a linear approach. This means phases may overlap whenever iterations are needed. While this provides flexibility to the model, it can also cause confusion among the team members, and delays if the project is not planned well. 

3. Scope Creep  

With constant feedback and iterative changes, your project may experience scope creep. Scope creep, in simple terms, means adding features to your project without addressing the impact on time, cost, and resources. This can result in longer timelines and increased project costs if it’s not managed effectively. McKinsey report shows that public-sector IT projects with longer duration have the most average cost overruns. 

Conclusion 

In today's fast-paced professional environment, it is crucial you stay a step ahead by making smart choices. Adopting the successive approximation model is one such example. SAM’s dynamic and iterative methodology addresses key challenges, like time efficiency, user satisfaction, and employee creativity through consistent collaboration and flexibility. 

SAM empowers your team to develop user-centric solutions, aligned with the changing requirements. Thanks to Coursebox, you can now design a professional, AI-powered course that trains your employees systematically based on the SAM principles. 

With automated test generation, assessments, and training video generators, get ready to deliver results that leave your competitors in awe! 

FAQs

How is SAM different from ADDIE?

SAM and ADDIE differ in their approaches to development. SAM is an iterative model that focuses on rapid prototyping and continuous feedback to improve your projects. 

ADDIE, on the other hand, is a linear model that follows a sequential approach—Analyze, Design, Develop, Implement, and Evaluate. Both have their merits, and the choice between the two depends on your project requirements. 

What does the successive approximation approach mean? 

The successive approximation approach is an e-learning development model focused on iterative improvement through regular feedback and rapid prototyping. It involves continuous stakeholders’ and user feedback and consequent improvements in the prototype, resulting in a solution that closely aligns with the company’s objectives.

Unlike traditional eLearning instructive design models, successive approximation stresses finalizing a solution based on multiple iterations instead of aiming for perfection. 

What are the advantages of the successive approximation approach?

The successive approximation model reduces the project development timeline by focusing on rapid prototyping and testing. It also enhances satisfaction by prioritizing the stakeholders’ and user feedback throughout the developmental process. 

The iterative approach helps identify the issues early in the project, reducing cost and time consumption. This agile methodology allows the team to make changes depending on the changing requirements and feedback.  

What is the SAM process? 

The SAM process is divided into 3 main phases: preparation, iterative design, and iterative development phase. 

• The preparation phase involves collecting background information, brainstorming ideas, and producing rough prototypes. 
• The iterative design phase focuses on refining the prototypes, gathering feedback, and improving the designs through multiple cycles based on the feedback. 
• The iterative development phase is the last step of the SAM process and involves developing and implementing the finalized, functional product.