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Bobby Jourdan
Inspiring
May 8, 2018
Answered

Setting Objectives in the manifest file in Captivate

  • May 8, 2018
  • 3 replies
  • 820 views

Hi there, I am trying to understand better the assignment of cmi.objectives. In the SCORM Users Guide for Programmers

https://adlnet.gov/public/uploads/SCORM_Users_Guide_for_Programmers.pdf

there is the following

QUOTE

Each SCO can set or read multiple objectives, and a single objective can be set or read by multiple SCOs. Objectives contain the following information. Note that these are the same values defined in the CMI Data Model for statuses.

success_status

completion_status

score (scaled, raw, min, max)

progress_measure

UNQUOTE

There is also a part for defining the objectives in the manifest file

<imsss:objectives>

<imsss:primaryObjective objectiveID="obj=primary">

etc...

However, I do not see in the manifest file of my Captivate projects any objectives set. I guess they are set on a SCO level? Where would I find that?

Thanks in advance

B

Correct answer TLCMediaDesign

Captivate can do all of that for you if you score the objects. You can also report the interaction data.

You would need to be pretty adept at JavaScript and SCORM to write you own code to handle it otherwise.

3 replies

A
authentic_Luminary8029
Participating Frequently
April 23, 2025

Hi B,

Great question—this is a common area of confusion when working with SCORM packages, especially from tools like Adobe Captivate.

You're absolutely right that objectives such as success_status, completion_status, score, and progress_measure are defined as part of the cmi.objectives structure in the SCORM data model. While the SCORM Users Guide does explain how objectives can be defined in the manifest (imsmanifest.xml), tools like Captivate typically manage learning objectives internally within the SCOs (Sharable Content Objects), rather than explicitly declaring them in the manifest file.

In Captivate, objectives are often tied to quiz results or slide completion logic. They are written dynamically at runtime via SCORM calls (using JavaScript or built-in functions) rather than pre-defined in the manifest. So, even if your imsmanifest.xml doesn't show , Captivate may still be initializing and updating objectives at the SCO level through runtime interactions with the LMS via the SCORM API.

To verify what's happening, you can:

  • Use SCORM debugging tools or LMS debug logs to see what Captivate is sending to cmi.objectives.

  • Check Captivate’s quiz and reporting settings—those control how objectives like success_status and completion_status are handled.

  • Open your course in SCORM Cloud or a debug mode LMS to inspect live data calls.

If you're analyzing this as part of an academic or technical project, structured help like CMI Level 3 Assignment Help (https://www.cmiassignmenthelper.co.uk/cmi-level-3-assignment-help/) can be invaluable. It can guide you in aligning SCORM concepts with assignment requirements, especially for assessments involving learning technologies or e-learning design.

Hope this helps clarify things! Let me know if you'd like help digging into a sample manifest or runtime logs.

Best regards,

[CMI Assignment Helper]

A
authentic_Luminary8029
Participating Frequently
April 18, 2025

Hi Bobby,

Captivate doesn’t usually show objectives in the manifest file because it handles them automatically during publishing. Most SCORM tracking, like completion and success status, is managed through the quiz and reporting settings inside Captivate.

It’s similar to CMI Level 3 Assignment Help  once you understand how things are structured behind the scenes, everything becomes a lot easier to manage.

Hope that helps

TLCMediaDesign
TLCMediaDesign
Inspiring
May 8, 2018

Why are you wanting to set objectives when they are already set when you publish?

The only way multiple SCO's can read objectives is if all of the SCO's are in the manifest. You would need to use the multi sco packager or you could construct the manifest yourself.

At that point, I would just do all of the SCORM myself and just publish the CP files without SCORM turned on and use JavaScript to handle everything.

    B
    Bobby JourdanAuthor
    Inspiring
    May 8, 2018

    Thank  you for your kind answer.

    Just to clarify - so far I stick to one SCO only. Trying to figure it out on a simpler level. No multi-SCO etc. so far

    There are several things that I am interested in

    1. If I have only one SCO - one module published and the completion settings are set to Quiz is passed, where can I find this setting in the output files?

    2. If I choose not to publish for LMS as you suggest would you please give me a high-level overview of what the workflow would be. I certainly do not expect you to give me a step-by-step guidance but just to have an idea if it is something I could possibly do.

    The reason I am interested in setting the objectives is to be able to create a set of interactions that should be completed for the course to be considered completed and to be able to report them to the LMS. I may be needing TinCan for that but so far the LMS we have does not support it and they are not planning to do so in near future.

    For instance, in the module - a single SCO I have the following interactions

    1. Multiple-choice question

    2. A text entry box

    3. An object to which I could assign a variable

    etc

    So the completion of the course will depend on the combination of outcomes relating to the above items.

    Thanks again

    B

    TLCMediaDesign
    TLCMediaDesignCorrect answer
    Inspiring
    May 10, 2018

    Captivate can do all of that for you if you score the objects. You can also report the interaction data.

    You would need to be pretty adept at JavaScript and SCORM to write you own code to handle it otherwise.

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