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, not just finished. It helps you:
Confirm hands-on performance, not just content completion
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
💡 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.
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 require a Manager or facilitator to be present. They meet with the Trainee, work through a form together, and mark the Trainee as passed or failed. This is the right choice for new hires, compliance requirements, and anything where external sign-off matters.
Self-Directed Check-ins let the Trainee complete the form on their own, with no Manager needed. They are a good fit for routine confirmations, self-assessments, and post-training reflections. There is no pass/fail outcome. The Check-in marks complete as soon as it is submitted.
❓ If your validation requires a pass/fail result, use a facilitated Check-in. Self-directed Check-ins auto-complete on submission with no review step.
| Facilitated | Self-Directed |
Best for | New hires, compliance, frontline teams | Experienced staff, autonomous roles, routine confirmations |
Who submits | Manager or facilitator | Trainee |
Supports pass/fail | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
Requires observation | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
Auto-completes on submit | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
💡 Looking to get started with New Hire or Role-based training? Learn more about the Opus training use cases here!
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, food prep standards, guest service steps)
Compliance-related behaviors (e.g. handwashing, allergen protocols, safety checks)
Soft skills or situational scenarios (e.g. handling a guest 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. In the dashboard, go to "Library" > "Check-ins" > "New Check-in," or add one directly to a Module.
Build your form using step types including Yes/No, Text, Multiple Choice, Checkbox, 1–10 rating, and 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. Avoid vague judgment calls to ensure consistency across teams and locations.
Add photos or video uploads to steps where visual proof matters.
Use conditional steps to follow up on specific answers (e.g. if a step is marked "No," ask why).
Set steps as required so nothing gets skipped.
Link relevant content so your team has reference material on hand while completing the form.
Once your form is built, configure the mode:
For facilitated Check-ins: turn on the Passing Requirement toggle if you want Managers to mark Trainees as passed or failed. Optionally, add Suggested Steps — tips Managers can share with Trainees between attempts.
For self-directed Check-ins: select "Self-directed" in the top-right of the Check-in builder. You can also change this later under Manage > Settings.
💡Learn how to build a Check-in step by step: How to Create & Assign a Check-in
Step 3: Add Your Check-in to a Module and Assign
Check-ins are assigned as part of a Module, not on their own. Add your Check-in to the relevant Module and place it after the Courses or Resources that prepare the Trainee for the task.
Assign your Module through an automation or manually. Once assigned:
For facilitated Check-ins, the default Manager at the Trainee's location will be asked to facilitate. They can find pending Check-ins in the "Check-ins to Facilitate" section of the Opus app. Learn how to facilitate and delegate a Check-in.
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 in the "Reporting" tab of the Check-in in the dashboard.
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 — food safety, allergen handling, 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. Learn more about Paths.
Keep forms focused. Cover critical steps, not every possible scenario. Shorter, focused forms get completed more consistently.
➡️ Learn more from a real example here: How Swingers Tests Real Knowledge and Skills on Seasonal Menu Rollouts
💡 Check-ins route to the default location Manager by default. Set up Direct Reports to make sure they go to the right person. Learn more about Direct Reports.
FAQs
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 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, go to Manage > Settings, and switch the Self-Directed toggle to "Yes."
How do I track who has been validated?
Completed Check-ins appear in the Trainee's profile and in the "Reporting" tab of the Check-in in the dashboard.