Keeping SCORM Alive: Best Practices for a Legacy Standard in a Modern World

How to future-proof your SCORM content — and when to start planning an exit strategy.

Originally posted on Substack

So… I may have made SCORM seem like a relic from a time long past. A worn-out map in a world of futuristic tech.

Yet, SCORM isn’t like VHS tapes or floppy disks. It’s still here. It’s still dominating the corporate learning world. It’s not because it’s trendy, but because it’s sturdy. It works, it’s consistent, and it’s there.

If you’re creating and managing learning today in a corporate setting, chances are you’re managing SCORM.

Even though we can see new standards and bigger dreams on the horizon, knowing how to keep SCORM content alive is still essential for LxD professionals.

Start by Respecting the Basics

First, we need to make peace with SCORM's strengths and limits.

When properly built, SCORM packages are durable. SCORM will consistently launch, track basic analytics, and integrate with nearly every LMS currently marketed.

Treat them with care:

• Always test your SCORM packages first to make sure they’re functioning.

• Verify your LMS's SCORM version support (1.2, 2004 3rd Ed., etc.). Mismatches cause real headaches.

• Document completion criteria explicitly. What counts as “done”?

• Watch for browser security updates that might break pop-up launches or cross-domain scripting.

A little vigilance keeps old magic working.

Version Control Matters

Resist the temptation to overwrite SCORM packages without thinking.

If you update a course, create a new version identifier. Changing an SCORM file mid-stream can corrupt learner records, especially bookmarks and completion statuses.

Best practice:

• Version your SCORM manifests clearly.

• Archive older packages before uploading new ones.

• Communicate updates to learners if they need to retake or restart.

Think of SCORM content like published books: revisions need edition notes.

Mind the Data Size Limits

Remember, SCORM was built when 4 KB seemed generous.

Fields like suspend_data (where courses store bookmarks, learner responses, and resume data) have tight size limits, especially in SCORM 1.2.

If your course has:

• Extensive branching scenarios,

• Large quizzes,

• Or complex simulations,

be cautious. Exceeding data limits can cause silent failures. Courses might not save progress correctly.

Compress data where possible. Test resume functionality rigorously.

Provide Clear Exit Paths

One of SCORM's quirks is that it expects content to explicitly end sessions.

If a learner simply closes a browser window, without clicking an “Exit” button wired to SCORM's Terminate() call, their progress might not be saved.

Help them (and yourself):

• Always include an obvious “Exit” button at the end of the course.

• Train learners on proper course closure habits.

• Configure LMS timeouts carefully to avoid losing sessions.

SCORM is loyal, but it expects manners.

Watch Your Media Choices

SCORM doesn’t care how big your videos are, but your learners’ bandwidth will.

Massive embedded videos slow launch times and strain mobile users. SCORM packages aren’t optimized for streaming.

Modern best practice:

• Host large media assets externally if possible.

• Stream videos from a platform (YouTube, Vimeo, Kaltura) within the SCORM wrapper.

• Compress images without sacrificing quality.

Lightweight packages create faster, friendlier experiences.

Plan Your Future

Keeping SCORM alive doesn’t mean clinging to it forever.

If you’re refreshing your learning ecosystem, start building a roadmap:

• Audit your SCORM library. Which courses are critical? Which are outdated?

• Evaluate LMS platforms that support xAPI and cmi5.

• Pilot new learning initiatives using cmi5 or dual-publish SCORM + xAPI courses.

• Capture learning data in an LRS where possible. Even if it’s just extra tracking for now.

Transitioning will take time. But a future built on richer, more flexible data is worth investing in.

Honor the Past, Build the Future

SCORM was never meant to be the end of the road.

It was a first stepping stone. The first time learning content could move freely across systems and empowering an entire industry.

So while we’re still working with SCORM, let’s treat it with the respect it’s earned over its 20+ year tenure. Maintaining our SCORM content wisely, and eventually letting SCORM retire gracefully, knowing it paved the way for something better.

Because learning, like technology, is always moving.

And the roads we build today should carry our learners farther than ever before.

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This concludes our SCORM editorial series!