SCORM is still the common launch standard
SCORM remains common because many LMS platforms support it and many organizations already understand how to launch and report on SCORM packages. For standard completion, score, pass/fail, and time tracking, SCORM is often enough.
The limitation is that SCORM mostly focuses on LMS-based course activity. It is not designed to capture every learning behavior across tools, apps, simulations, or offline experiences.
xAPI is more flexible, but needs a plan
xAPI can capture richer learning activity, including actions that happen outside a traditional course. That flexibility is useful, but it also means you need a clear reporting strategy and the right technical setup.
Without that plan, xAPI can create more data without creating more clarity.
How to choose
Use SCORM when you need reliable LMS launch behavior and standard tracking. Consider xAPI when you need to capture detailed activity, multi-step simulations, performance data, or learning activity beyond a simple course package.
Before choosing, define the reports you actually need. Completion, score, and pass/fail may not require xAPI. Detailed performance behavior may.
How PCG supports publishing decisions
PCG can help prepare SCORM packages, review LMS requirements, test tracking behavior, troubleshoot reporting issues, and decide whether xAPI adds value for a specific course.
The goal is not to pick the trendiest standard. The goal is to publish training that tracks what the client actually needs to know.