When I think about the ADDIE model and the Iterative Design Process the two seem to be almost a marriage when designing an online course. In the ADDIE model, analysis is the input for the system; design, development, and evaluation are the process; and implementation is the output. These segments overlap somewhat, depending on the project, and because the system is enterprising, there will be some sharing of the processes.
The iterative design process is a simple idea. Through user analysis, you identify a user need and generate ideas to meet that need, and develop a preliminary model. This "prelim model" is tested to see whether it meets the need in the best way. Then you take what you learned from testing and revise the design. Following that, you create a new model and begin the process all over again until you are satisfied that you’ve reached the best product. Hence, iterative design can be used at any point in the design process, including when the course has already been launched.
To make a long story short, this process reminds me of the saying "try, try and try again." When I thought about the process of iterative design process I remembered in the first grade making a paper airplane with my class friend launching it. It dropped like a stone. My classroom friend explained the error in my design. Just a sheet of paper folded in half "did not a plane make." I kept looking around at the designs that the "boys" were making. I knew I could make a better plane, I just needed practice. What were the boys doing better? They were just silly boys. The next flight was disappointing just like the first, but I kept trying. Finally, after several sheets of paper and a full trash can, I made something that I could only describe as phenomenal at the time. It flew higher and longer than my classroom friends! When I think about that process, I was using what I call "juvenile" ADDIE and iterative design processes to create a successful paper plane model. Certainly, creating a paper plane, and relating it to a teaching method is giving me too much credit, but you get the idea.
Although I am designing an online course and not a paper plane, my philosophy is the same. To produce something effective requires iterative design. The act of repeating a process to ensure success is necessary. In this case success is the learner being engaged and understanding the material as well as mastering the course learning objectives. "While certain projects may call for the use of one method over another, at other times, both can be used strategically in combination" (Christian, & Davis, (2016). It is my belief that ADDIE and iterative design do not always have to be done together. But to remain open minded as a designer it can't hurt.
Reference
Christian, A. & Davis, R. (2016, July 14). Embrace iterative design for creative learning development (Links to an external site.). Retrieved from https://www.caveolearning.com/blog/embrace-iterative-design-for-creative-learning-development
