How to create a SCORM course, step by step
A SCORM course is an e-learning course packaged so that a learning management system (LMS) can launch it and record the learner's progress. Here is a practical way to build one that works first time.
1. Start with what learners must be able to do
Write two to five learning objectives as observable actions, for example "respond to a customer complaint using the three-step model". Everything in the course should serve one of them. This keeps courses short and focused.
2. Storyboard before you build
Outline each screen: what the learner sees, reads, hears and does. A storyboard in PowerPoint or Word is enough. Share it with your subject-matter expert and agree on the content before building; changes are far cheaper at this stage.
3. Build the course
Use a mix of short content pages and interaction: knowledge checks after each section, and a scenario where learners apply what they learned. Keep text concise and use narration or images where they genuinely help. In ExplicateX you can import the storyboard and turn it into an editable course.
4. Decide how completion and passing work
Agree with your LMS administrator what counts as "complete" (for example, viewing all lessons) and whether there is a pass mark. Set the quiz scoring and pass mark in your authoring tool to match.
5. Choose the SCORM version
SCORM 1.2 is supported almost everywhere and is the safe default. SCORM 2004 reports completion and pass/fail separately and allows more resume data. If unsure, ask your LMS administrator, or read SCORM 1.2 vs SCORM 2004.
6. Publish the SCORM package
Your authoring tool creates a ZIP file containing the course and a manifest (imsmanifest.xml) that tells the LMS how to launch it. Do not unzip or edit it; upload the ZIP as it is.
7. Test before learners see it
Upload the package to a test area of your LMS, or to a free SCORM test service, and check: the course launches, progress resumes after closing, the score is recorded, and completion or pass/fail appear correctly.
8. Release and maintain
Once tested, assign the course to learners. Keep the source file safe so you can update the course later and replace the package in the LMS.
ExplicateX handles steps 3 to 6 for you: see the SCORM authoring features.