105 Prototype to Evaluation: Building Organizational Buy-in for xAPI
10:45 AM - 11:45 AM Wednesday, October 23
Management and Strategy
Andros B
You've heard about xAPI, but wonder what comes next. Getting from this initial position of interest to having wide-spread organizational buy-in can be a huge challenge. It was for us! How do you justify taking resources away from creating and curating learning experiences to build something new and unproven? It can be a challenge to identify the first steps needed to start convincing stakeholders that the investment is worth it. Since xAPI is a complex solution, there is no road map that an organization can follow. We are all looking for the best ways to use project management strategies to leverage the resources that we have access to, so we can go beyond those first "wins" in the process of implementing xAPI.
In this session, we will explain how LLamasoft went from creating SCORM content to developing a learning ecosystem. Using low-cost resources, we created a proof-of-concept consisting of prototype, pilot, and implementation. We will talk about the steps that made this a reality, such as selecting a LRS, working with (and sometimes against) the code, and using learning analytics to tell the story of what we found. After giving our organization the ability to track video usage in our Help system (and more), xAPI became a no-brainer to stakeholders. We'll explore how real-life victories and setbacks shaped what we were able to achieve. You'll walk away prepared to establish a proof-of-concept xAPI project that drives internal and external value to your organization.
In this session, you will learn:
- To find the resources to make xAPI work for you and/or your organization
- Product management principles and terms to gain organizational buy-in
- An incremental approach to develop xAPI competency
- How to use data and learning analytics to best tell the story to stakeholders
Audience:
Developers, managers, senior leaders (directors, VP, CLO, executive, etc.)
Technology discussed:
xAPI, video, LRS

Andrew McGuire
LX Designer
dRofus
Andrew McGuire is a learning experience designer at dRofus, where he specializes in developing engaging content and tracking learner experiences. He has been working in eLearning development for the past five years. Before joining the world of eLearning, Andrew taught English at the college level for seven years. He has an MA in English composition from Northeastern Illinois University.

Ryan Hicks
Learning Experience Director
Llamasoft
Ryan Hicks, a director of learning experience at LLamasoft, is a systems design thinker with a focus on human interaction and development of both individuals and organizations. His contributions to LLamasoft have led to the formation of the Coaching & Training and Learning Experience (LX) teams, which design, develop, and execute content throughout the entirety of the customer journey.