Mentorship Made Simple eLearning
This scenario-based eLearning concept project helps new mentors build strong, supportive relationships that encourage growth and celebrate progress.
Audience: Veteran employees new to mentor role
Responsibilities: Instructional Design, Storyboard, Action Mapping, eLearning Development, Visual Design
Tools Used: Articulate Storyline 360, Adobe Illustrator, Figma AI, Canva, MindMeister
The Problem & Solution
Summit Insurance is a fictitious large nationwide insurance company facing high turnover rates, with nearly 1 in 4 employees leaving within two years. Research shows mentorship significantly improves retention, but their existing program wasn’t making an impact. Mentors were eager but often felt overwhelmed, unsure of how to build effective relationships or consistently support their mentees.
To address this, I designed a scenario-based eLearning that models key strategies and provides mentors with realistic practice applying them—helping them connect, encourage, and invest in their mentees’ success. The self-paced format also makes it easily scalable for Summit’s hybrid and remote workforce.
My Process
I acted as the subject matter expert for this project, drawing on research and personal experience as both a mentor and mentee to identify common challenges and high-impact behaviors. Using an action map to guide the storytelling, I wrote a detailed script and storyboard, then developed visual mockups and a prototype. Each step was shaped by feedback from users, ensuring the final scenario-based eLearning was both engaging and effective.
Action Map
I created an action map with the ultimate goal—improving employee retention—at the center. From there, I mapped out the key decisions and actions mentors need to take to ensure their mentees feel supported and engaged. This process helped me prioritize the highest-impact behaviors and design focused decision-making scenarios that tie directly back to the business goal.
The action map also revealed that some challenges are better addressed through company policy, like needing support for mentorship during work hours.
Text-based Storyboard
I focused on three key behaviors from the action map and built them into a realistic, scenario-based story. Learners navigate challenges by making decisions, seeing the outcomes of their choices, and having the chance to retry if needed—all while guided by a mentor character they can consult along the way (Merrill’s First Principles). The mentee character, Luca, was designed to feel authentic and relatable, so learners naturally want to support him in making the best choices and are motivated to see him succeed.
Visual Mockups
I used Figma AI to create a mood board for initial inspiration and a style guide to ensure visual consistency throughout the project. Custom characters and other visuals were designed using Adobe Illustrator, Canva, and Figma AI.
Next, I created wireframes and slide layouts to ensure the design elements supported a clear and intuitive user experience. Each layout followed multimedia principles of visual consistency, spacing, and contrast to minimize cognitive load and highlight key content. Graphic design basics like balance, repetition, and simplicity helped guide attention and improve readability. After several iterations, the final designs became the foundation for the prototype.
Interactive Prototype
I used Articulate Storyline 360 to create an interactive prototype of the project to collect feedback on its functionality and user experience. I included several interactive slides, a mentor layer for each question, and engaging transitions. Throughout this stage, I collaborated with other instructional designers and collected user feedback to improve the flow and interactions before building out the full course.
Full Development
After collecting and applying feedback from the prototype, I completed the course development. I ensured the impact of the consequences was illustrated on the characters’ faces as well as through the storytelling, and included a summary slide that allows the user to review their actions and the impact they had.
Results and Takeaways
This concept prototype focused on three high-impact behaviors from the full action map. In a full deployment, I’d expand the training to cover the remaining actions and use quarterly retention data over two years to track long-term impact. I’d also gather feedback from mentors, managers, and employees to guide follow-up modules that reinforce key behavior changes.
In the prototype, I prioritized clarity and quick feedback loops to keep the focus on decision-making. I would include a “happiness meter” gamification element in future modules. Good decisions would move the meter toward a happy face, while poor choices move it in the opposite direction. The gamified meter will be a strong addition to future modules where sustained engagement is the goal.