Completing a Course does not always mean someone has mastered the skill. Opus helps you go beyond "course completed" to real readiness, so training translates into consistent performance on the job.
Skill validation adds an in-practice confirmation step, so you know your team is ready to do the job. It helps you:
Confirm hands-on performance after content is completed
Catch gaps before they become compliance issues or customer-facing mistakes
Build a documented record of who has been validated and when
Give Managers a consistent, structured way to evaluate their team
Support ongoing development beyond initial onboarding
š” Where does skill validation fit in training? Think of it as the in-person confirmation step: the moment after training when you find out if it actually landed.
Table of Contents:
How Skill Validation Works in Opus
Opus uses Check-ins for skill validation. A Check-in is a custom form built into a training Module. When a Trainee reaches a Check-in in their training, someone completes the form to confirm the skill: either a Manager observing the Trainee or the Trainee themselves.
There are two types of Check-ins, and the right one depends on whether the skill needs to be witnessed.
Facilitated Check-ins: a Manager or facilitator confirms the skill.
They meet with the Trainee and work through the form together.
They can mark the Trainee as passed or failed.
Best for new hires, compliance requirements, and anything where external sign-off matters.
Self-Directed Check-ins: the Trainee confirms the skill on their own.
No Manager is needed.
There is no pass/fail outcome. The Check-in is marked complete as soon as it is submitted.
Best for routine confirmations, self-assessments, and post-training reflections.
Facilitated | Self-Directed | |
Best for | New hires, compliance, frontline teams | Experienced team members, autonomous roles, routine confirmations |
Who submits | Manager or facilitator | Trainee |
Supports pass/fail | ā Yes | ā No |
Requires observation | ā Yes | ā No |
Auto-completes on submit | ā No | ā Yes |
Getting started with new hire or Role-based training? See Getting Started: New Hire Onboarding.
ā ļø Need a pass/fail result? Use a facilitated Check-in. Self-directed Check-ins complete automatically on submission, with no review step.
How to Build Skill Validation in Opus
Step 1: Decide What to Validate
Start by listing the skills or Tasks you want to confirm. These might be:
Core job tasks (e.g. opening procedures, product knowledge, customer service steps)
Compliance-related behaviors (e.g. handwashing, PPE use, safety checks)
Soft skills or situational scenarios (e.g. handling a customer complaint, coaching a teammate)
Post-training reflections or self-assessments
For each skill, ask: does this need to be observed by a Manager or facilitator? The answer determines which type of Check-in to use.
Step 2: Build Your Check-in Form
Both facilitated and self-directed Check-ins are built the same way. Start a Check-in in one of two places:
From the Library: go to Training > Library, select the Check-ins filter, click New Check-in, then build with AI or click New check-in from scratch.
From a Module: on the Module's Build tab, click Edit, then Add content.
Build your form on the Check-in's Build tab after clicking Edit. Step types include:
Yes/No
Text entry
Multiple choice
Checkbox
Rating (1-10)
Number input
A few tips for building effective steps:
Keep steps clear and specific: Write each one as something that can be directly confirmed or witnessed. Avoiding vague judgment calls keeps results consistent across teams and Locations.
Add photo or video uploads: Use them on steps where visual proof matters.
Use conditional steps: Follow up on specific answers (e.g. if a step is marked "No," ask why).
Set steps as required: Make sure nothing gets skipped.
Link relevant content: Give your team reference material to use while completing the form.
Once your form is built, configure the mode:
For facilitated Check-ins: add a passing requirement if you want Managers to mark Trainees as passed or failed.
In the top right corner of the Check-in form, click No passing requirement, select Pass to complete, and click Save requirements.
Optionally, fill in Suggested Next Steps on the pass/fail step: tips facilitators can share with Trainees between attempts.
For self-directed Check-ins: click Facilitated in the top right corner of the Check-in form and select Self-directed.
To change it later, use the Sign-off row on the Settings card of the Overview tab, or ā¦ > Settings > Self-Directed.
š” Publish when you're done: Click Publish so your form and passing requirement reach Trainees.
ā”ļø Learn more:
How to Create & Assign a Check-in: build a Check-in step by step.
Step 3: Add Your Check-in to a Module and Assign
Assign a Check-in as part of a Module.
Add your Check-in to the relevant Module. Place it after the Courses or Resources that prepare the Trainee for the Task.
Publish the Module, then click Assign in its top right corner.
Choose Assign once to assign it now, or Create automation to assign it automatically.
Once assigned:
For facilitated Check-ins, the Manager at the Trainee's Location is asked to facilitate once the Trainee is ready for it.
They find pending Check-ins in the Check-ins to facilitate section of the Opus Training app.
For self-directed Check-ins, Trainees complete the form directly from their assignments in the app. No Manager action is needed.
Completed Check-ins show up in the Trainee's profile and on the Check-in's Reporting tab in the dashboard.
ā”ļø Learn more:
How to Facilitate & Delegate a Check-in: complete or hand off a Check-in in the app.
Best Practices
Pair Check-ins with the content that teaches the skill: Check-ins work best when they follow a Course or demonstration.
Use the Show, Tell, Do, Review framework: Courses and Resources do the teaching; Check-ins confirm the outcome.
Use facilitated Check-ins for compliance: Anything that needs external sign-off (safety procedures, equipment use, new hire skills) should be facilitated.
Use self-directed Check-ins for reinforcement: Post-training reflections, routine confirmations, and self-assessments are a natural fit. Keep steps simple so Trainees can move through them independently.
Build in re-validation over time: Use Modules in Paths to schedule follow-up Check-ins after the initial training has been completed.
Keep forms focused: Cover the critical steps. Shorter, focused forms get completed more consistently.
See a real example in How Swingers Tests Real Knowledge and Skills on Seasonal Menu Rollouts.
š” Route Check-ins to the right person: Check-ins go to the default Location Manager unless you set up Direct Reports.
ā”ļø Learn more:
Paths Overview: schedule follow-up training over time.
How to Set Up Direct Reports: route Check-ins to the right Manager.
FAQ
What's the difference between a facilitated and self-directed Check-in?
With a facilitated Check-in, a Manager observes the Trainee and submits the form on their behalf. With a self-directed Check-in, the Trainee fills it out and submits it themselves, with no Manager review required.
Can I use both types in the same Module?
Yes. You can mix Check-in types within a Module. A common pattern is to start with a self-directed reflection and close with a facilitated skill validation.
What if a Trainee fails a facilitated Check-in?
There is no limit on retry attempts. If you have added Suggested Next Steps, Managers can share those with the Trainee to help them prepare before trying again.
Can I convert an existing facilitated Check-in to self-directed?
Yes. Open the Check-in in the dashboard and, on the Overview tab, change Sign-off on the Settings card to Self-directed.
You can also click ā¦ > Settings and set Self-Directed to Yes.
How do I track who has been validated?
Completed Check-ins appear in the Trainee's profile and on the Check-in's Reporting tab in the dashboard.