Scenario-Based Storyboarding
When creating a scenario-based eLearning object, vital information can get lost or left for interpretation. This can cause confusion between departments and result in wasted time. That's where storyboarding saves the day!
What is a Storyboard
Storyboards are visual representations of how an e-learning object will appear and function as an end product, serving as a communication document, a risk-management tool, and a project management tool that improves communication and engagement among all project members (Canon & Harding, 2017). Storyboards identify constraints, goals, scope, and changes, helping mitigate risk by monitoring these factors. Communication is maintained by keeping all members, including subject matter experts (SMEs) and stakeholders, informed throughout the project, validating it through the sign-off process. Storyboards expedite the build process by providing the build team with all necessary information, enabling the e-learning project to be completed within scope and schedule (Cannon & Harding, 2017; PMBOK Guide, 2017). Storyboards add value to both the instructional designer (ID) and the organization by streamlining processes and ensuring quality control. Lastly, storyboards enable collaboration with clients and stakeholders by providing a tangible deliverable that can be customized to meet project needs.
Why storyboards matter
Storyboarding aids in selecting appropriate instructional strategies for the project, ensuring, among other things, that the methods and media used align with the content and the learner (Sugar & Luterback, 2015). Storyboards also help ensure that the information presented is accurate and that the sequence includes necessary details for both the learner's knowledge acquisition and the build team's needs to design the learning object. Completing these tasks on the front-end of the project helps reduce rework. Additionally, using appropriate instructional strategies for the project helps ensure that the learning objectives are met and learners transition into the productive stage successfully.
Storyboarding demonstrates an ID’s ability to perform highly sought-after skills.
What to include in a storyboard
When creating a storyboard, it's not always evident what to include. A procedural storyboard might be relatively straightforward. However, when making a scenario-based e-learning object, the task becomes a little more daunting. Additional details are vital to the project's success. Every project will vary and require customization to determine which elements to include, meeting the specific needs, constraints, and specifications. The video below outlines some best practices for a scenario-based e-learning storyboard.
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Storyboarding for Scenario-Based eLearning Objects
When creating a scenario-based eLearning object, vital information can get lost or left for interpretation. This can cause confusion between departments and result in wasted time. That's where storyboarding saves the day!
References
Cannon, A. & Harding, M. (2017). Webinar Recap: Adaptive Storyboarding Tools. [Video] Retrieved September 22, 2025, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hU0hpvrEQ80
Grey, A. (2016, January 19). The 10 skills you need to thrive in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. World Economic Forum. Retrieved from https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2016/01/the-10-skills-you-need-to-thrive-in-the-fourth-industrial-revolution?utm_campaign=elearningindustry.com&utm_source=%2Ffuture-traits-of-instructional-design-aware&utm_medium=link
PMBOK Guide (2017). A guide to the project management body of knowledge (6th ed.). Newton Square, PA: Project Management Institute.
Sugar, W. A. & Luterback, J. A. (2016, April). Using critical incidents of instructional design and multimedia production activities to investigate instructional designers’ current practices and roles. Educational Technology Research and Development 64(2), 285-312. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1094500
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