In order to design, launch, and manage a successful micro-credential offering, it is crucial to have a strong team working together.
Sometimes when launching a new offering, one may only think of developing the content and course.
However, there are other roles of importance that help move the learner through the funnel to completion.
Getting Started
You might be wondering how you even begin this micro-credential process and assembling the right team of experts.
It all starts with an idea or concept on a specific micro-credential offering or suite of offerings.
This idea is sometimes the result of a staff or faculty member seeing a need for their students.
Maybe it is a training and development professional noticing a gap in their traditional training efforts and looking for an innovative way to measure their participants’ knowledge, skills and abilities.
It may also be a directive from a departmental head or supervisor who sees the bigger picture of where your organization needs to go.
Whatever the case may be, it all begins with the idea of the offering and understanding how the micro-credential can enhance learning.
The next step would be to assemble the micro-credential team.
Who is on the micro-credential team?
Micro-Credential Sponsor
The sponsor is the first person you think of when it comes to the micro-credential.
They are responsible for writing the content and developing the course/offering.
As mentioned above, the idea of the micro-credential will sometimes come from the sponsor as they are going to be the subject matter expert.
However, sometimes the person who brought up the idea originally is not the sponsor but helped identify the correct person to serve in this role.
Their role is important as they serve as the subject matter expert and will often teach the micro-credential offering.
Micro-Credential Designer
The designer leads the high-level strategy and design services for the micro-credential offering.
Organizations overlook this role and sometimes fail to spend time for the design and strategy phase due to time restraints, lack of budget resources, or they may not even realize the importance of this step in the micro-credential or course design process.
Without the designer, the other roles may find difficulty in progressing the offering forward.
There is also the threat of having gaps in the learning design and strategy without having a designer involved from the beginning.
Micro-Credential Verifier
The verifier is responsible for confirming the participants have completed the necessary requirements for earning the micro-credential.
They do this by utilizing the micro-credential design model created by the designer as an assessment instrument for completion.
This role is key in distinguishing between a verified, evidence-based micro-credential and the average training program or workshop.
The verifier is often the same person as the micro-credential sponsor— however, in rare occasions it could be different people.
An example would be if an organization has a designated verifier within their organization but has contracted a subject matter expert for the content development and delivery.
It is important to have a designated verifier to ensure this step is thoroughly completed.
Micro-Credential Issuer
Finally, the fourth role of the micro-credential team is the issuer.
This is typically your company or organization who issues and manages the micro-credential through a digital badging system like Badgr or Credy.
The issuer is also seen as an authority in the space where the credential is earned. Issuers can attach the “evidenence of learning” to each credentials in order to help others verify that skills were earned
Assemble Your Team
Now it is your turn to create a micro-credential team to move your ideas forward.
Think through the descriptions above to determine who would be the most effective people for the specific offering team.
A challenge you may face when deciding the team members is you may want to include a large amount of people to get different viewpoints.
This is a great idea when developing ideas. However, too many people on the team may result in confusion and not much progress in moving the process forward.
Be sure to have the four specific roles assigned to the individuals so everyone understands their roles and responsibilities in the design, production, and delivery cycle of the offering.
If you're interested in learning more about the micro-credential strategy and design process, please download our latest e-book!
