Story-based training has a reputation for being time-consuming and resource-heavy. Though they may believe in its effectiveness, teams often deprioritize it when timelines get tight because the build feels bigger than the sprint allows. This session shows that it doesn't have to be, and what that looks like in Rise 360—with a process that is replicable across elearning tools.

SMEs tend to describe policy and process, not situations. Uncovering realistic scenarios requires asking the right questions. We'll explore approaches to extract real situations, including ways to use AI tools to help brainstorm scenarios alongside your SME or from source documentation.We'll then walk through how to structure that raw material into something simple to build that will be engaging for learners. We'll explore decisions that keep development lift low without losing the meaning a genuine story provides. Three short Rise 360 examples across safety, soft skills, and sales show the same structure at different production levels:

• Text-only demonstrates the method holds before any assets are added.
• Image-supported shows what generative AI imagery contributes at low cost.
• Video-supported shows the upper range without a full production budget.

In this session you will learn:

• How to extract real situations from SMEs and existing processes. 
• How to use SME interviews and process documentation to uncover situations best suited for instructional scenarios
• Repeatable interactivity structures that works across industries and content types
• How to use rapid development tools like Rise 360 to build out your scenarios for optimal engagement
• Where AI tools can help in scenario brainstorming and asset creation
• How to evaluate what each production level requires so you can scope builds realistically

No prior experience with story-based or scenario-based training is needed but awareness or curiosity is helpful. Attendees who have basic experience working with SMEs and/or translated documentation into training will get the most from the instructional design techniques covered, but this experience is not required. Rise and Storyline 360 proficiency or AI tool familiarity would be helpful, but are not required.