The Problem

Many staff lack a foundational understanding of the Graduation Approach, which limits their ability to design, implement, and monitor effective poverty alleviation programs. Without clear knowledge of its five core components—Coaching and Mentoring, Consumption Support, Savings, Skills Training, and Productive Assets—staff may struggle with proper sequencing and adaptation.

This knowledge gap is especially critical in complex humanitarian contexts, where interventions must be tailored to local economic, social, and cultural dynamics. Without structured training, misapplication of the approach can lead to inefficient resource use and reduced program impact.

To support evidence-based programming and build sustainable livelihoods, staff need a consistent, practical understanding of the Graduation Approach. This highlights the urgent need for an engaging, accessible training solution that prepares all staff to apply the model effectively and confidently.

The Solution

The Graduation Approach addresses the limitations of traditional aid models by providing a sequenced package of support that helps individuals build sustainable livelihoods. It combines five core components—Coaching and Mentoring, Consumption Support, Savings, Skills Training, and Productive Assets—delivered in a specific order based on household needs and local context.

This approach enables participants to stabilize their consumption, develop marketable skills, grow savings, and invest in income-generating activities. With proper implementation, it leads to greater self-reliance, improved well-being, and long-term resilience.

When staff are equipped with a practical understanding of how to adapt and apply the Graduation Approach, they are better able to guide partners, support program design, and monitor outcomes effectively in both stable and crisis-affected settings.

Meet Amina

Amina represents one of the many individuals impacted by the Graduation Approach. Her journey illustrates how sequenced, context-specific support can help households transition from extreme vulnerability to sustainable self-reliance.

Through targeted interventions—coaching, temporary consumption support, skill-building, and productive asset transfers—Amina was able to stabilize her household, build confidence, and invest in her future. Her story brings the Graduation Approach to life, demonstrating its relevance in humanitarian settings and its potential to break the cycle of poverty.

My Process

To ensure the course was practical, engaging, and aligned with performance outcomes, I followed a structured instructional design process grounded in action mapping and scenario-based learning.

I began by identifying the behaviors learners needed to perform in their roles and mapped those to key skills and real-world decisions. This informed the design of interactive content and assessments that focused on application rather than theory.

Working closely with subject matter experts, I translated these skills into a detailed storyboard and prototype using Articulate Storyline. The course design emphasized accessibility, consistency, and usability—prioritizing clarity for learners navigating complex humanitarian environments.

Action Map

The course was built using action mapping to ensure every piece of content supported real-world job performance. This method allowed us to focus on what learners need to do—not just what they need to know.

I worked with subject matter experts to identify the specific decisions, tasks, and behaviors required of staff engaging with the Graduation Approach. These were mapped to learning activities, interactive scenarios, and evaluation strategies that aligned with actual field responsibilities.

This approach ensured the course stayed grounded in practice and prepared staff to confidently apply the Graduation Approach in varied contexts.

Text-based Storyboard

To guide development and ensure consistency, I created a detailed, text-based storyboard. Each screen was mapped with narration, on-screen content, interaction type, visual descriptions, and developer instructions.

This format streamlined collaboration between instructional designers, developers, and reviewers. It also ensured that accessibility, usability, and learning goals were addressed from the outset.

Visual Mockups

Before development, I created visual mockups to explore layout, navigation, and content hierarchy. These prototypes provided a shared visual reference for the design team and helped align expectations with stakeholders.

The mockups were developed with a focus on clarity, accessibility, and consistency across slides. They reflected real course content and supported decisions around interaction design and media integration.

Style Guide

To ensure visual cohesion, I developed a style guide with color palettes, typography, and iconography tailored to humanitarian learning. Colors were selected for readability and accessibility, and the font choices prioritized screen clarity and mobile responsiveness.

Interative Prototype

To validate the course structure before full development, I created an interactive prototype using Articulate Storyline. This early version simulated the learner experience, allowing stakeholders to preview navigation, transitions, and key interactions.

The prototype helped surface feedback early in the design cycle, saving development time and ensuring alignment on tone, pacing, and usability. It also served as a communication tool between instructional designers, developers, and reviewers.

This approach allowed us to refine interaction logic, confirm design decisions, and build confidence in the course direction before committing to production.

Full Development

Following prototype approval, I developed the full course in Articulate Storyline 360. The final product integrated audio narration, scenario-based interactions, animations, and embedded knowledge checks to reinforce learning.

Each module was built with accessibility in mind, incorporating alt text, keyboard navigation, and screen reader compatibility. The course was SCORM-compliant and tested across platforms to ensure seamless delivery via LMS.

This structured development process ensured the course was polished, performance-focused, and ready for global deployment.

Results and Takeaways

The course contributed to a stronger, shared understanding of the Graduation Approach across teams. It helped staff engage more confidently with implementing partners and apply the model in the field.

Key takeaways from this project include:

• ✔️ Increased learner confidence in sequencing interventions
• ✔️ Prototype testing allowed early course feedback and iteration
• ✔️ Stakeholders had a clearer vision of program implementation steps
• ✔️ Used WCAG-aligned alt text, color contrast, and keyboard navigation

This project demonstrated how targeted, high-quality eLearning can build organizational capacity and advance strategic goals in humanitarian settings.