Branching Scenario

Workplace Communication

New managers often struggle with tough conversations. I designed a branching scenario in Articulate Storyline that diagnoses their communication blind spots and directs them to personalized training based on how they respond.

1. Project Overview
  • Goal
    Create a scenario-based diagnostic to help new managers handle difficult conversations and identify their specific development needs.
  • Format
    Adaptive branching scenario, directing learners to personalized training based on their performance.
  • Audience
    First-time managers struggling with people management and communication.
  • Tools
    Articulate Storyline 360, FigJam, ChatGPT, HeyGen, iMovie, Handbrake, Figma, Photoshop
View Project
2. Why This Project?

Research shows that 60% of new managers fail within two years, often due to poor communication and strained relationships with direct reports.

This scenario-based diagnostic was designed to help new managers improve communication by practicing empathy, staying calm, and focusing on facts.

3. Instructional Design Strategy
  • Learning Objectives
    By completing the scenario, learners will identify their strengths and gaps in:
    • Showing empathy without getting emotionally sidetracked
    • Communicating calmly and respectfully—even under pressure
    • Maintaining factual focus and driving accountability
  • Approach
    Grounded in experience-first and active learning principles, the scenario opens with a realistic workplace interaction. Learners are immediately immersed in problem-solving before any instruction.
4. Scenario Design
To ensure an authentic and nuanced experience, I developed:
  • 6
    decision points
  • 25
    distinct pathways
  • 17
    unique outcomes
Three Response Types
There are 38 response options in the scenario. Each response choice falls into one of three manager communication styles:
Adaptive Feedback
Based on their pathway, learners are automatically directed to a targeted training module. For example, a learner who avoids conflict will receive strategies for navigating tough conversations. This creates a personalized learning journey that adapts to actual skill gaps.
5. Development Highlights
ChatGPT accelerated dialogue generation across 53 unique interactions.
I created 16 avatar videos in HeyGen, with custom voice adjustments to match the emotional tone of different responses.
Visuals were matched across video and slide content for seamless realism.

The branching logic was built and tested in Articulate Storyline using numbered slides, triggers, and branching validation.
View Project
6. Evaluation and Results
  • As a self-initiated project, this scenario hasn’t been implemented yet. If rolled out, I anticipate it could boost new manager confidence in handling tough conversations and reduce communication breakdowns that often lead to disengagement or project delays.

    On a personal level, I sharpened my branching design skills, refined my dialogue writing for realism and clarity, and explored how to guide learners toward growth through nuanced feedback and adaptive pathways.
7. Questions?
I’ll be happy to answer your questions about this project.

I invite you to explore other projects I've worked on or contact me to discuss your eLearning idea.
Explore Projects
Contact Elena

Photos: Vitaly Gariev / Unsplash, Theo Sunardjaya


References:

Center for Creative Leadership (2024). 12 Challenges of New Managers

Forbes (2023). Why Most New Managers Fail

Harvard Business Review (2024). Why Managers Fail

Kapp, K. M. (2025). Action-First Learning: Instructional Design Techniques to Engage and Inspire. [eBook].