portfolio example
Scenario-Based Leadership Training
Leaders don’t need more hours. They need support in making better, more intentional decisions.
I designed this scenario-based simulation to give them a safe, realistic space to practice those choices and see the impact of their habits in real time.
- Audience: Team Leaders, Supervisors, Executives
- Responsibilities: Instructional Design, eLearning Development, Visual Design, Storyboard, Mockups
- Tools Used: Articulate Storyline, Adobe XD, & Adobe Illustrator
The Challenge
Traditional “time management” tips focus on personal productivity, but the real issue lies deeper: prioritization, strategic thinking, relationships, and the ability to mobilize teams.
Through conversations with L&D leadership, it became clear that leaders weren’t short on effort. They were short on application. Many were burning themselves out trying to “catch up,” without realizing their daily decisions were reinforcing the cycle.
Leaders needed practice, not theory.
Mapping the Work
I started with an action map grounded in research by Paul and Stroh on their four leadership domains: thinking strategically, mobilizing commitment, building relationships, and organizing action.
This surfaced where leaders were getting stuck and what decisions they needed to practice. From there, I mapped five real-world scenarios that mirrored the choices leaders face every day.
Bringing the Story to Life
With the action map in place, I built a full text-based storyboard that:
- Offered two realistic choices in each scenario
- Showed the downstream consequences of each choice
- Incorporated distractions and competing priorities
- Used a mentor character (Tristan) to provide optional guidance
This phase was highly iterative and shaped heavily by SME feedback. I refined scenarios until they felt both challenging and true to life.
Designing the Look and Feel
After approval, I moved into visual development:
- Customized vector graphics in Illustrator
- Applied brand-consistent color palettes and typography
- Built immersive workspaces and character interactions
- Created clickable mockups in Adobe XD for rapid iteration
The goal was a clean, intuitive interface that supported the story rather than distracting from it.
Building the Interactive Experience
I built the full branching experience in Articulate Storyline, using conditional paths, variables, triggers, and subtle animations. After several rounds of SME reviews, I finalized the course structure, content, and interactions.
What Learners Actually Experience
Learners move through five scenarios where every choice shapes the next step. The simulation mirrors the real-world tension leaders feel daily — choosing between urgent tasks, long-term priorities, team needs, and strategic commitments.
The mentor character acts as an optional guide, not a requirement, allowing leaders to explore their instincts and learn through consequences.
Impact, Insights & What I’d Do Again
This project was well-received for its clean UI, realistic decision points, narrative flow, and thoughtful use of research. It strengthened my expertise in Storyline’s branching, variables, states, and layers, and deepened my workflow in Adobe XD for rapid prototyping and visual iteration.
Most importantly, it turned an overused topic like “time management” into a learner experience that actually shifts how leaders lead.