DESIGN
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Learning Content
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I initiated the project by creating a storyboard and script. To begin, I designed scenarios corresponding to each phase of the project lifecycle. Using articles from Project-Management.com, I identified the general responsibilities involved in each phase, key decisions a manager might face, and common mistakes a beginner could make.​
Reflection
Almost immediately, I encountered the issue of inclusivity—while I wanted the learner to be directly involved, I didn’t want to require them to choose between two gendered characters or attempt to represent multiple backgrounds in a way that might still feel limiting. (This doesn’t even account for the difficulty of finding inclusive character assets!) At the same time, I worried that a lack of relatability might break the learner’s immersion in the story. Ultimately, I decided to personalize the experience by asking the learner for their name and frequently using it in their role as a helper to an original character, Min-ju. This approach allowed me to give Min-ju distinct character traits—like nervousness—to elicit sympathy, investment, and engagement. It also made failure easier to frame as less personal or discouraging, and instead even comedic, keeping with the lighthearted tone of the experience. One alternative I considered was using animal characters to enhance the playful tone. However, I ultimately decided against this—using sentient animals in a scenario dealing with cat adoption felt incongruous. I also found that quality animal character assets were, surprisingly, even harder to source than human ones!
Action Mapping
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​Once I identified key decision points, I sketched out three possible actions for each phase of the project: one that enabled the project to continue and two that resulted in undesirable outcomes—either due to negative consequences or because they were impossible to implement. To track these options and their outcomes, I created a simple branching diagram on MindMup.com.​
Next, I built a preliminary script in Google Docs, organizing it by sequence to map out how each decision would unfold.
After this general sketch, I translated the general decision points into more specific scenarios tailored to the pop-up cat café context. I developed character personalities to add engagement and encourage investment in the story, then drafted detailed descriptions of the consequences for each action.
Finally, I designed a resource summarizing the phases of project management for use during the scenarios. I utilized this resource as an alternative to a structure in which information is frontloaded at the start, opting instead for a learn-on-the-job approach. This structure turns each choice into a problem-solving exercise, reinforcing the material through active engagement. To support this piece-it-together learning method, I incorporated hints from the mentor character, deliberately keeping them vague. This set-up prompted learners to interpret multidirectional guidance, pulling ideas from the scenario content, the mentor, and the manual to synthesize an answer rather than simply receive it.
Visual Design
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​I began the visual design phase by gathering assets for characters, settings, and decorative elements. I sourced character sets from FreePik for Min-Ju, the mentor character, and two stakeholders to visually flesh out the story while aligning with the script’s requirements. I also incorporated multiple cute cats and added animated GIFs from LottieFiles to bring a sense of fun and movement. To reinforce the setting and create a strong sense of place, I selected café-themed backgrounds, which I edited on Inkscape to make them easier to blend into my slides.
Reflection
I’m very visually driven, so even in the early stages of this project, I found myself looking for assets to spark inspiration, despite knowing I couldn’t finalize them until I had a storyboard and script. I had a clear vision for how the scenario should be brought to life, but I encountered difficulties finding assets that matched that vision to my satisfaction. Ultimately, however, this friction led me to learn the basics of vector graphics editing. I discovered that many high-quality character sets were available as editable SVG files, allowing me to move beyond default Storyline assets and cropped PNGs, which to me felt unpolished. Using the free software Inkscape, I was able to detach individual character poses and remove backgrounds from the FreePik sets, creating a more polished and consistent visual style. I also sourced cat illustrations matching the style, ensuring a cohesive look across the project. I additionally created some simple background assets myself in Inkscape: a transparent dusty pink shape to indicate the floor and darker blocks for background elements. Interestingly, I found that some of the character sets were intended as puppets for simple animations, which has inspired me to explore animating them as my next skill-building goal.
Once I had a set of satisfactory assets on hand, I created a mood board in PowerPoint, as its interface and functionality closely align with Storyline. (I later also used it to test animations since previews are quicker!) In this mood board, I selected a color scheme and assembled the backdrop for café-based scenes. The backdrop contains 4 layered images.
DEVELOPMENT
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With the design process complete, I moved forward with development. On Articulate Storyline, I created a slide master background for the introductory slides and another for the scenario-based interactions.
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I first built out the introductory slides, then developed the scenario slides. Each scenario had its own slide with different layers for options, a hint, the manual, a “repeat the question” layer, and results. To enhance pacing, I used animations to transition between layers and slides.
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To streamline development, I fully built the first scenario slide—including all its layers, triggers, and animations—then duplicated it for the remaining scenarios. This allowed me to efficiently reuse buttons and triggers while swapping out variables, content, and foreground images.
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I also designed a tab interaction for the project management manual. To ensure learners were familiar with it, I required them to view it once in the initial instructions before allowing them to progress. I then duplicated the manual across all scenario slides so it was accessible throughout the experience.​​
Reflection
I also spent a lot of time troubleshooting exit animations, which gave me a much deeper understanding of how Storyline’s timeline functions. Another challenge was the use of animated GIFs. While I love the fun and energy they add—and they fit the tone of the project well—I suspect they slow down the software and make previewing a much bigger production than necessary! Moving forward, I’d like to experiment with replacing GIF assets with videos or self-created animations using Canva and PowerPoint. I also chose not to include sound in this project, as I didn’t feel it was necessary for the learning experience. However, I’m excited to explore how I could incorporate sound in future projects!
EVALUATION
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This is a concept project, and I took the opportunity to create something that I enjoyed—something that reflects my personality and individual creative vision. My goal was to blend engaging storytelling with solid instructional design, making project management both memorable and fun.
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In a real-world context, I would approach this brief a little differently. I would first tailor the project management scenario to align with actual projects employees are likely to encounter. I would also assess the preferred tone, mood, and worldbuilding style to ensure it resonates with both employees and the company’s sensibilities. I would likely expand the project with more scenarios, incorporating real decisions employees face that I would inform using surveys and interviews with managers and representative learners. Finally, I would include opportunities for participants to submit feedback after the experience, refining the course based on their insights.​
Project Management
Cat Café
The
Tools and Resources Used
Articulate Storyline, Microsoft PowerPoint, InkScape, LottieFiles, FreePik, StorySet, Google Docs, project-management.com.
Summary
During training, new and aspiring project managers may struggle to grasp the practical application of the project lifecycle. Traditional, theory-heavy courses can leave learners disconnected from real-world scenarios, making it difficult to translate abstract concepts into effective decision-making skills on the job.
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To address this challenge, I designed a scenario-based simulation using a fun, cat-themed pop-up café and adoption event. This immersive program allows learners to guide Min-ju, a first-time Community Engagement Manager, through the five phases of project management—from initiation to closure. By making real-time decisions in a relatable and engaging context, participants gain practical insights that bridge the gap between theory and practice, ultimately equipping them to lead successful projects in their future careers.
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As this project is a demo, it is not as granular as it might be. However, in a real-world situation, this project could incorporate more scenarios per phase, and reference company policies and tools for greater specificity.