ClearCompany Learning: Certification Plans vs Assignments — Best Practices

Understanding the differences between Certification Plans and Assignments in ClearCompany Learning is essential for admins designing training programs. Certification Plans and Assignments serve different purposes, and selecting the right one depends on your learning goals. In this article, we cover the differences and use cases.

In this article:
Certification Plans Overview
Assignments Overview
Certification Plans and Assignments: Visibility and Progress Tracking
FAQ
Additional Resources

Certification Plans 

Certification Plans are structured learning paths made up of multiple learning objects, released in a specific sequence over time. Certification plans often align with long-term learning objectives, such as onboarding, leadership development, or compliance programs.

Key Features:

1. Sequential Delivery: Users can release Learning Objects on a set schedule. 
2. Progress Tracking: Learners can easily track their progress and the upcoming schedule.
3. Certification: Users get notified when users are completed and get a certificate for record keeping. 

Certification Plans Are Used When:

• Training should follow a defined progression.
• Organizations want to schedule learning objects at a set timeline. 
• Organizations need a certificate for reporting or compliance.

Assignments

Assignments are used for distributing individual or batch learning objects to users or groups. Assignments are ideal for immediate training needs, like one-time compliance courses, skill refreshers, or quick learning initiatives.

Key Features:

1. Immediate Availability: All assigned content is visible to learners. 
2. Targeted Delivery: Users can assign training  by user, group, or additional filters, including job role or language.
3. Simplified Tracking: Users can easily track completion from the “Manage Assignment dashboard.

Assignments Are Used When:

• Organizations  need to train users quickly. 
• Organizations want to release learning objects all at once.
• Organizations do not need to track completion for compliance. Assignments can be reported on using ClearCompany Learning: Export Reports.

💡Pro-Tip

Assignments can include Certification Plans, making use of the best of both worlds when needed.

Certificate Plans & Assignments: Visibility and Progress Tracking Differences

	Certification Plans	Assignments
Learning Object	Based on step release settings	Immediate (unless customized)
Learner View	Progress and future steps visible gradually	All assigned items shown at once
Completion Tracking	Includes certification upon finishing the steps	Learning platform reporting completion.
Automation	Timed step releases	Manual assignment or scheduling

Certification Plans vs. Assignments FAQ

Can organizations assign a Certification Plan through an Assignment?

Yes, this allows organizations to control user access and batch training delivery while maintaining the Certification Plan structure.

Will users receive duplicate training if they're in multiple groups?

No. The system recognizes user overlap and prevents duplicate assignments or notifications.

Can admins hide future steps in a Certification Plan?

Yes, users can manage visibility so learners only see steps that are currently available.

Can users edit a Certification Plan after it's assigned?

Yes, but with caution. Editing live assignments can disrupt user progress. ClearCompany Learning recommends using the "Inactivate" option when possible to preserve records.

Additional Resources

• ClearCompany Learning: Manage Assignments
• ClearCompany Learning: Cultivate Certification Plans
• ClearCompany Learning: Recurring Assignments Based on Historical Records