What are the limitations of the ISD and ADDIE models?

Instructional System Design (ISD) is often referred to as ADDIE, which is the combination of the five
phases of ISD. These phases are:

 Analysis
 Design
 Development
 Implementation
 Evaluation.

It is said that ISD model is flawed for several reasons. These are:

1. The usual training design process rarely follows the step-by-step approach like the ISD model
2. Trainers are required to be provided detailed documents of each activity found in the model
which is a time-consuming process and costly while developing a training program.
3. The ISD implies an end point which is “Evaluation”. On the contrary, a good instructional
design not only requires “Evaluation” but it also needs to have a standard process of design,
execution, evaluation and reconsideration of the needs that the program was designed to
meet.
4. many companies claim to use an instructional design approach but dilute its application. This
might include assuming that training is the best solution without investigating other causes
for performance gaps, failing to identify training objectives and results, focusing too much
on the training method while ignoring the role of the work environment in transfer of
training, and concentrating evaluation on whether trainees liked the program rather than on
measuring the impact of training on job performance or business results.

Despite these criticisms, use of the ISD process is the best way to help ensure the effectiveness of
training and development.