In the fast-evolving world of corporate learning and development (L&D), where microlearning, mobile-first strategies, and AI-driven personalization are becoming the norm, it’s easy to overlook technologies that have been around for decades. One such technology is SCORM — the Sharable Content Object Reference Model.
SCORM isn’t flashy. It doesn’t have the buzz of newer platforms or tools. But for many organizations, it’s still foundational. And if you’re in L&D — whether as an instructional designer, developer, or learning technologist — knowing how to develop SCORM content is still a skill worth having.
Here’s why SCORM is still relevant, how it fits into modern learning ecosystems, and why learning SCORM development can still give L&D professionals a competitive edge.
What is SCORM, Anyway?
SCORM is a set of technical standards developed by the Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL) Initiative to ensure learning content and learning management systems (LMSs) can work together. In plain terms, SCORM tells e-learning content how to communicate with an LMS — tracking things like user progress, quiz scores, completion status, and more.
A SCORM package is a zip file containing HTML, JavaScript, and multimedia content that can be uploaded into any SCORM-compliant LMS. Once there, it behaves predictably — whether it's tracking that a learner watched a video, passed a quiz, or simply completed a module.
SCORM Isn’t Dead — It’s Infrastructure
Many people assume that because there are newer technologies like xAPI or cmi5, SCORM is obsolete. That’s not the case. SCORM remains the standard in most corporate LMSs. A 2023 report by eLearning Industry found that over 70% of enterprise-level organizations still rely on SCORM-based content for their mandatory training, onboarding, and compliance programs.
Why? Because it works. It’s stable. It’s supported by virtually every LMS. It delivers consistent, trackable data. And for many organizations, it’s already deeply baked into internal systems, with thousands of legacy courses still running smoothly.
Companies don’t ditch working infrastructure lightly. Especially not when it’s compliant with internal policies, external regulations, and IT governance. That’s why learning SCORM development isn’t about chasing trends — it’s about understanding the plumbing of most corporate learning environments.
SCORM is Still the Gold Standard for Compliance Training
One of SCORM’s enduring strengths is how well it serves regulated industries — finance, healthcare, insurance, manufacturing, and more. These sectors require strict compliance training and meticulous tracking. SCORM’s ability to track completions, scores, time spent, and pass/fail data makes it ideal for proving that learning has occurred — and that records exist to prove it.
This isn’t a niche use case. According to LinkedIn Learning’s 2024 Workplace Learning Report, compliance remains one of the top priorities for L&D leaders, particularly in heavily regulated industries. In these contexts, SCORM is the backbone of learning delivery.
For L&D professionals, being able to build or update SCORM courses means being able to support critical business operations. It means understanding how to deliver training that passes audits, supports certifications, and avoids fines.
SCORM Development Means Control
Many off-the-shelf authoring tools — like Articulate Storyline, Adobe Captivate, and iSpring — offer “SCORM export” options. And for many L&D teams, these tools are enough. But they also come with limits. You’re confined to the features and capabilities the tool provides.
Learning SCORM development — particularly the underlying HTML, JavaScript, and XML that power it — gives you more control. You can:
Customize learner interactions beyond what authoring tools allow.
Optimize content for performance or mobile delivery.
Troubleshoot and debug SCORM errors when LMS issues arise.
Create lightweight, responsive modules without bloated software.
In short, you’re not just a user of content development tools — you’re a builder. That control can be a huge asset, especially in lean teams or when dealing with complex training needs.
SCORM is a Gateway to Understanding xAPI and cmi5
One of the arguments against learning SCORM is that it’s “outdated,” and that newer standards like xAPI and cmi5 are the future. That’s partially true — xAPI offers richer data tracking, offline capabilities, and works outside the LMS. cmi5 builds on xAPI and is designed to replace SCORM in LMS environments.
But here’s the thing: If you understand SCORM, the learning curve to xAPI and cmi5 is much lower. The concepts of tracking learning interactions, packaging content, and communicating with a learning record store (LRS) are extensions of what SCORM already does.
Many companies looking to implement xAPI are doing so alongside existing SCORM systems — not instead of them. Having both skill sets makes you more versatile. SCORM is the foundation; xAPI is the expansion pack.
SCORM Skills Are Still in Demand
Job descriptions don’t lie. Search for L&D, instructional design, or e-learning developer roles, and you’ll find SCORM listed as a required or preferred skill again and again. Even when organizations are experimenting with new learning technologies, SCORM is still part of their content portfolio.
Why? Because:
Organizations have legacy SCORM content they need to maintain or update.
Authoring tools require some understanding of SCORM settings for proper export and LMS integration.
LMS administrators often troubleshoot SCORM package issues — and need dev support.
Being “the person who knows SCORM” can set you apart, especially in smaller teams. It’s a specialty skill that doesn’t just make you valuable — it makes you indispensable when something breaks.
When to Learn SCORM Development (and When Not To)
SCORM development isn’t for everyone. If you’re strictly focused on learning strategy, facilitation, or content writing, you might never need to crack open a SCORM manifest file.
But if your role involves:
Building e-learning content from scratch
Managing or customizing an LMS
Integrating learning data into other systems
Supporting global or large-scale learning rollouts
Maintaining legacy courses
Then learning SCORM development is a smart investment.
And you don’t need to become a full-fledged software engineer. Learning basic HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and understanding how SCORM APIs work will put you miles ahead of most L&D professionals.
The Learning Curve Is Manageable
SCORM may sound technical, but getting started is easier than it seems. There are free tools and sandbox LMS environments where you can test packages. Dozens of tutorials, GitHub repos, and open-source SCORM players are available.
If you already know how to use authoring tools, you can start by tweaking SCORM output and gradually build from there. Focus on:
Understanding the SCORM 1.2 and 2004 specs
Learning how the SCORM API is called via JavaScript
Exploring the imsmanifest.xml file
Experimenting with simple content packages
You’ll find that a little technical knowledge goes a long way — and opens doors to more complex development or integration work down the line.
Future-Proofing Your L&D Skillset
It’s tempting to focus only on cutting-edge tools in L&D. But technologies change fast, and organizations are slow to catch up. SCORM’s longevity proves that stability and compatibility matter just as much as innovation.
By learning SCORM development, you’re not just picking up a legacy skill — you’re investing in:
Technical fluency
Understanding how content, data, and systems interact.
Problem-solving ability
Being able to fix, tweak, or optimize content in-house.
Career resilience
Keeping yourself relevant in both traditional and modern L&D environments.
In a field where buzzwords come and go, SCORM endures. And knowing how to develop SCORM content keeps you grounded in the infrastructure that still powers learning at scale.
Final Thoughts
SCORM development might not be glamorous, but it’s a practical, valuable skill in corporate learning. Whether you're working in a Fortune 500 company or a mid-sized enterprise, the odds are good that SCORM-based content is still part of the equation.
Don’t let the age of the standard fool you. It’s reliable, it’s widely used, and it forms the bedrock of much of today’s corporate training delivery. Learning how to build, customize, and troubleshoot SCORM content gives L&D professionals real-world skills that aren’t going away anytime soon.
In a space obsessed with what’s next, sometimes the smartest move is mastering what’s still here — and still running the show behind the scenes.
About LMS Portals
At LMS Portals, we provide our clients and partners with a mobile-responsive, SaaS-based, multi-tenant learning management system that allows you to launch a dedicated training environment (a portal) for each of your unique audiences.
The system includes built-in, SCORM-compliant rapid course development software that provides a drag and drop engine to enable most anyone to build engaging courses quickly and easily.
We also offer a complete library of ready-made courses, covering most every aspect of corporate training and employee development.
If you choose to, you can create Learning Paths to deliver courses in a logical progression and add structure to your training program. The system also supports Virtual Instructor-Led Training (VILT) and provides tools for social learning.
Together, these features make LMS Portals the ideal SaaS-based eLearning platform for our clients and our Reseller partners.
Contact us today to get started or visit our Partner Program pages
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