Conversations That Count
Practicing Performance Reviews that Build Trust
This scenario-based learning concept project was designed to help managers practice conducting supportive, collaborative performance reviews with employees. Learners participate in a realistic meeting with an employee and must choose opening questions that encourage engagement during three key stages of the performance review conversation.
Click the image to experience the project.
Audience
Managers who have recently completed Leadership
Training and are preparing
to conduct performance
review meetings with
their employees
Responsibilities
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Instructional Design
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Action Mapping
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Visual Design
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Storyboarding
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Prototype Creation
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eLearning Development
Tools Used
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Articulate Storyline 360
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Figma
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Mindmeister
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OpenArt AI
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ChatGPT
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YouTube Studio
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Audacity
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Photopea
Learner's desk with Employee Satisfaction Survey data results.
The Problem
Employee Satisfaction Survey results have come in and the data shows that employees are feeling unsupported and inadequately coached by their managers. Performance Review meetings in the past have been unproductive and contentious between the manager and employee.
Calendar Reminder pops up on the learner's computer.
The Solution
An immersive scenario-based eLearning experience is the best option for this easily distributed, low-risk practice for managers. Learners may revisit the training as many times as needed as they prepare for performance reviews with employees.
My Process
To develop this project, I began by consulting a subject matter expert (SME) with an extensive human resources background. They shared the challenges managers face during performance reviews and helped brainstorm ideas for providing learners a low-risk opportunity to practice building trust and collaboration with employees. From there, I designed the learning experience through action maps, a text-based storyboard, visual mockups
before completing a full development of the module.
Action Maps
Created using MindMeister
I began by creating an Action Map that planned out the entire Performance Review process starting at the top with "Prepare for the meeting" in the blue and going around clockwise, finishing with "Follow Up" in the red. The green section in the green box is "Conduct the Performance Review Meeting". This is the part of the process that I used as the basis of the Scenario-based eLearning.
Action Map of entire Performance Review process.
Training focuses on the green section.
Next, I created an Action Map that focused on the learner choosing a starting question for each main section of the Performance Review meeting.
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Detailed action maps of each stage of the meeting.
Storyboard
Created using Figma
A detailed text-based storyboard served as the blueprint for the project. It allowed me to map the learner experience, align content with learning objectives, and plan interactions before I began development.
I included...
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Screen-by-screen descriptions of the learner experience
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Instructional content and learner prompts
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Interaction and animation details
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Audio and visual design notes
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Programming specifications and triggers for development
Text-based storyboard for Introduction slide
Visual Mockups
Created using Figma
Style Guide
To create a cohesive and professional learning experience, I developed a style guide that established standards for colors, typography, characters, and interactive elements. The color palette was inspired by the office environment featured in the course, while the mentor character's brighter colors were intentionally chosen to draw attention and reinforce his role as a guide throughout the learning experience.
Style Guide
Slide Types
To establish consistency before development, I created visual mockups for each major slide type used throughout the course. These mockups defined the layout, visual hierarchy, and learner interactions for key screens, including scenario questions, feedback screens, character introductions, and learning content. By standardizing slide types early in the design process, I was able to create a cohesive learner experience while streamlining development.
Hover over image to see the slide type.
Click on the image to expand.
Development
Created using Articulate Storyline 360
Building the Experience
The course was organized into three scenes that guides learners through a realistic performance review conversation.
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The Intro scene establishes the business need by presenting low employee satisfaction scores and introducing Jamie, a mentor character who provides guidance throughout the experience.
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In the Performance Review scene, learners practice applying effective communication strategies by selecting questions that shape the conversation with the employee, Alex. Real world situational consequences provide immediate feedback to the learner.
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The Conclusion scene reinforces the impact of the learner's choices, showing improved employee satisfaction results and positive feedback from both Alex and the organization's HR leadership.
Interactions
Based on user feedback, I revised the delivery of feedback to continue in the immersive scenario experience. Rather than having Mentor Jamie interrupt the conversation to provide corrective feedback, learners immediately see the impact of their choices through consequence screens that reveal how Alex is feeling later in the day.
After viewing the consequences of an ineffective choice, learners are given an opportunity to try again and apply a more effective approach.
Positive choices allow the performance review conversation to continue naturally.
Mentor Jamie remains available as an optional coaching resource throughout the scenario and reappears during the conclusion to reinforce key takeaways.
Programming and Variables
The project required a variety of Storyline programming techniques to create a seamless learner experience.
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Variables were used to allow learners to choose their preferred audio and caption settings at the start of the course and maintain those preferences throughout the scenario.
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Layers were used to manage character interactions, feedback, and optional coaching from Mentor Jamie.
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AI tools were leveraged to create custom images, audio narration, sound effects, and video assets that enhanced the realism and engagement of the learning experience.
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During testing, I identified and resolved a device-specific issue affecting iPhone users by implementing an alternative programming solution.
Storyline Scene Layouts
Incorrect choice feedback is given through a continuation of the scenario experience.
Storyline screen showing Variable and Trigger programming.
Storyline screen showing Layer programming.
Results and Takeaways
This project successfully transformed a traditional content-driven topic into an engaging scenario-based learning experience. Learners were able to practice performance review conversations, experience the consequences of their decisions, and receive support when needed through an optional mentor resource in a safe, judgement free space.
One of the most valuable lessons from this project was the importance of user feedback and iterative design. Early testing revealed opportunities to create a more authentic experience by replacing direct mentor feedback with realistic consequences that reflected the impact of learner choices.
Overall, the experience reinforced the value of designing learning that is immersive, learner-centered, and closely aligned with real-world performance.