Is instructional systems design still relevant?

As November's Big Question, Learning Circuits asks Are ISD / ADDIE / HPT relevant in a world of rapid elearning, faster time-to-performance, and informal learning?

Well, I always thought ISD and ADDIE (never heard of HPT) were pretty much common sense. Pretty much any logical model for any activity consists of a bit of digging around to find out what's needed (analysis) and then some form of plan-do-review cycle. We need to be reminded of this discipline to avoid jumping to solutions, without having a proper understanding of the problem. However take this too much to heart and you'll end up with analysis paralysis. Fans of John Lennon will recall his lyric "Life is what happens when we're busy making other plans". Or more cynically, the saying that "Man plans and God laughs".

I'm a musician and I know a fair bit about musical theory. I believe it helps me to play and to write better music. I have a fair idea why something works musically and why it doesn't. On the hand, my son has never had an interest in musical theory at all, is entirely self-taught and plays through feel. He makes a very good living writing electronic music and is a sound engineer for Disney. It's that whole art v science thing - Beethoven or Beatles.

I've always been kindly disposed to systems and to theory in general - I like to know that I'm not just winging it. On the other hand, I like to get things done quickly - sometimes very quickly. I'd say that the more people involved in a project, the more you have to be systematic, the more you have to document. That's why rapid e-learning is rapid - there are less people involved. That's also why I like working alone on design and development when that's possible.

In summary, I would recommend anyone interested in the design and development of learning experiences to explore the various models relating to instructional design and to develop their own views on the strengths, weaknesses and general applicability of these models. What I would not do is stop there. Equally important is to develop a feel for what works at a human level, to become an engaging communicator and an able facilitator.