Instructional Design & Learning Theory
This classic 5-letter acronym represents the standard framework for instructional design: Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation.
What is ADDIE
This popular 2-letter acronym refers to the formal process of evaluating an employee's work performance, goals, and development areas, typically done annually.
What is a PM (Performance Management) or PR (Performance Review)
This type of short-form, bite-sized learning content delivers highly focused information in 2 to 5-minute bursts.
What is Microlearning
When a manager demands a brand-new training course, an L&D professional should first perform this type of analysis to see if training is actually the right solution.
What is a Needs Analysis (or Needs Assessment)
This 4-tier model is the gold standard for evaluating training effectiveness, measuring Reaction, Learning, Behavior, and Results.
What is the Kirkpatrick Model
This classic talent matrix plots an employee’s potential against their performance to help identify future leaders and succession plans.
What is the 9-Box Grid
This is what "LMS" stands for—the foundational software platform used to host, track, and deliver training.
What is a Learning Management System
This is the term for the internal domain experts who partner with L&D to provide the raw technical content for a course.
What are SMEs (Subject Matter Experts)
This cognitive framework classifies learning objectives into levels of complexity, ranging from "Remembering" at the bottom to "Creating" at the top.
What is Bloom’s Taxonomy
This strategic HR process ensures that critical leadership roles have identified, qualified internal backups ready to step in if someone departs.
What is Succession Planning
While an LMS tracks compliance and completions, this newer, data-rich platform (abbreviated as LXP) focuses on personalized, user-driven learning experiences.
What is a Learning Experience Platform
If an employee has the knowledge to do a job but fails because they lack the right software or clear directions, it is considered this type of issue, which cannot be fixed by training.
What is an Environmental or Performance issue (as opposed to a skills gap)
Developed by Malcolm Knowles, this specific term refers to the art and science of adult learning (as opposed to pedagogy for children).
What is Andragogy
This methodology, popularized by John Doerr, stands for "Objectives and Key Results" and is used by talent teams to align individual goals with corporate strategy.
What are OKRs
This technical specification (the successor to SCORM) allows L&D teams to track learning experiences happening outside the LMS, such as mobile apps or real-world tasks.
What is xAPI (or Tin Can API)
This instructional approach combines online digital media with traditional classroom methods, requiring the physical co-presence of both teacher and students.
What is Blended Learning
This cognitive psychology concept warns against overloading a learner's working memory, which can happen if a course design is too cluttered or complex.
What is Cognitive Load Theory
Coined by researchers at the Center for Creative Leadership, this numerical rule-of-thumb ratio suggests that 70% of learning comes from experience, 20% from exposure (others), and 10% from formal education.
What is the 70-20-10 Model
This training technique uses game-design elements—like leaderboards, badges, and points—in non-gaming contexts to boost learner engagement.
What is Gamification
In corporate finance terms, calculating the financial value generated by a training program relative to its total cost is known as determining this.
What is ROI (Return on Investment)