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Learn - Pathways FAQ

Matt Troy
Updated

In this article, we'll answer key questions about Pathways:

Can a Milestone belong to multiple pathways?

Yes. We’ve intentionally created Milestones for this use case, making it easier to create Pathways with less duplication of admin work.

Can you add optional courses to a Milestone?

No. All courses in a Milestone will need to be completed in order for the Pathway to be complete.

Can you create different Milestone paths based on pass/fail for a Course?

No. All Learners will follow the same curated path, so all courses and milestones must be completed.

Are Milestones visible to end users?

No. Milestones cannot be discovered. They will only show once added to a Pathway that has been enabled. 

Can you add a lesson to a Milestone?

No. Only courses. 

Why would I use a Pathway over a course?

Pathways are designed to stitch together courses into a curated, one-time journey. While the same outcome could be achieved using standalone courses, managing large volumes of lessons in this way often leads to a poor user experience. With the addition of Milestones, courses can be more easily segmented into a structured order of completion. This is particularly helpful for longer, larger curriculums that may span several months.

Can you add a Pathway to Catalogues?

Yes. This can be done by going to the catalogue and using the new ‘Pathways’ tab. 

Can you make a Pathway mandatory?

Yes. You can assign Pathways to groups. 

Can you add Pathways to development activities in Perform?

Yes. This will be possible but there might be a delay in release given we need to create Pathways first. Timelines will be shared in the usual way. 

Can you set prerequisites in a Pathway?

No. Milestones are locked to be completed in the sequence order. They will be locked until all courses from the previous milestone are complete. We will monitor feedback on this. 

Can Pathways be set to recur?

No. Pathways are designed to be a single, one-time journey. The content within a Pathway can still be set to recur in the same way as regular courses, but completion will not be tracked through the Pathway view. Instead, it will appear in the usual Courses I have to do view.

Can all types of content be added to a Milestone/ Pathway?

Yes. There are no restrictions on adding courses to a Milestone. Similarly, there are no changes to how Lessons are added to Courses or the rules governing this process.

Can you boost skills with Pathways?

Yes. There are two methods of skill boosting:

  • Upon completion of a Milestone
  • Upon completion of the entire Pathway

Both methods can be used together, providing full flexibility for L&D teams to decide how and when skills are boosted, including the existing skill boosting at the lesson level.

Can you set deadlines for Milestones?

Not right now. If you think that would be a valuable addition to this feature please add via Airfocus.

If I already have a course set up that is like a Pathway, will I have to rebuild it as a Pathway?

Yes, if they wish to segment the lessons into different courses and Milestones. No, if they are happy with simply adding the course with all its lessons to a Milestone, and then adding it to a Pathway.

While this approach maintains reporting data in line with existing completions, it may not provide the best user experience. Admins will need to consider these trade-offs when choosing an approach.

Can you share/recommend a Pathway?

Not right now. If you think that would be a valuable addition to this feature please add via Airfocus.

Can you save a Pathway to a Playlist?

Not right now. If you think that would be a valuable addition to this feature please add via Airfocus.

If more courses or Milestones are included in a Pathway, will a learner need to complete these?

It depends on the completion status:

  • If a course is added to a Milestone and the Milestone is complete, then no action is required.
  • If the Milestone is still in progress, then the new course will need to be completed.

The same completion rule also applies when Milestones are added to a Pathway.

What reporting will be available for Pathways in Power BI?

We are currently defining the reporting requirements. Please feel free to suggest any key requirements based on customer feedback. However, we do know that Milestone and Pathway completion will be reportable.

What is the difference between Pathways and Refreshers/ Lesson sets?

The key difference when deciding whether to use one over the other is:

  • Pathways are a one-time journey, typically used when learning is structured, spans a longer period, or involves multiple topics or areas of knowledge. They guide learners through a curated sequence to achieve a specific outcome.
  • Learning Sets are designed to support recurring learning, allowing the same topic to be revisited in a shorter format or approached in a different way each time. They are ideal for reinforcement, practice, or repeated exposure to key skills and compliance topics.

A course with Lesson Sets can be added to a Pathway, but the recurring completion will be tracked in the usual way via Courses I have to do, rather than through the Pathway itself.

Ask the Community🤝

Want to connect with peers and hear how they are working with Pathways? Our customer Community is a great place to get quick, relatable advice - so jump in, ask your question, and learn from the wider customer Community. 

Get deeper learning in The Academy

View Introducing Pathways in The Academy to see the end-to-end steps for creating and assigning Pathways. We’ll introduce the feature, demonstrate how it works, and share practical tips to help you create Pathways that drive real success.

Don't have your account yet? Contact the Customer Support Team to activate your free account. 

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