I Created the Lesson Mapping Methodology in 1990

In the past few days I’ve been asked online if some of my methods and tool formats were simply derivatives of those methods and tools of others. Yes and No is my answer.

Yes. My Performance Model and Knowledge/Skill Matrices were both a derivative of the Rummler/Gilbert Performance Table and Knowledge Map that can be found in Tom Gilbert’s 1978 book: Human Competence – which I covered in a past Blog Post – here.

No. My Design methods and tool formats – the Lesson Map and other formats – however are mine.

Here is a current version of my Lesson Map. My intent was to create a visual tool for Design via a Group Process at this level of Instructional Systems Design. Just as I had a visual process for the design of a Performance Competence Development Path/ T&D Path/ Learning Path/ etc., etc.

Here is an example of the first version of the Lesson Map – labeled as a Lesson Specification Sheet – from a 1991 project for Illinois Bell – Labor Relations – covered in this past 2013 Blog Post – here.

The Lesson Map/Lesson Specification format was first presented to the public in the Fall 1993 newsletter from my firm SWI – Svenson & Wallace Inc.

Here is a PDF of that entire newsletter: swi-newsletter-1993-3-fall

A Lesson’s Content is Only As Good As the Analysis Data That Feeds It

This is critical IMO. Extremely critical. AND – for me that meant avoiding listening to One SME as THE source for input. I use a Group Process. A Group of Master Performers – and Other SMEs as necessary.

Followers know that the 2 key sets of Analysis Data that feed my ISD Design methods are the Performance Model and the Knowledge/Skill Matrices.

Again – this part of my methods – which I started using in 1979 at Wickes Lumber in Saginaw – are derivatives of derivatives of the work of the late Geary A. Rummler and the late Thomas F. Gilbert.

The people who taught me about this had worked alongside Geary Rummler’s brother (Rick Rummler) at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (in Detroit) where they acted as a laboratory for the methods of Rummler and Gilbert as developed at Praxis.

These Methods Are Covered in 2 of My Books

lean-ISD – something I worked on from 1983 until I finished it in 1998 – and published in 1999 – evolved as I evolved my performance-based ISD methods.

It is available as a free 204 page PDF here – and is also available as both a Kindle and paperback book. It was the recipient of an ISPI Excellence in Communications Award back in the day.

Rummler had this to say about these ISD methods after reviewing my 1999 book: lean-ISD…

Geary A. Rummler from the Performance Design Lab says, “If you want to ground your fantasy of a ‘corporate university’ with the reality of a sound ‘engineering’ approach to instructional systems that will provide results, you should learn about the PACT Processes. If you are the leader of, or a serious participant in, the design and implementation of a large-scale corporate curriculum, then this book is for you. This system could be the difference between achieving bottom-line results with your training or being just another ‘little red school house.’”

Geary even redesigned the cover of lean-ISD after his review. May he Rest in Peace.

In 2010 and 2011 I worked to update several of my books into a 6 Pack – and Performance-based Modular Curriculum Development/ Acquisition covers the Lesson Mapping methods.

Learn more about that 6 Pack – here.

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