Digital Credentials - Analyze Digital Badge Performance with Parchment Analytics
Overview
Parchment Digital Badges includes an Analytics workspace that helps you understand what happens after badges are awarded.
Analytics data can help you:
- Measure how many recipients accept (claim) their badges.
- Measure how often recipients share badges.
- Evaluate how many people view shared badges.
- Compare badge performance across programs.
- Identify trends in learner engagement and visibility.
The Analytics workspace combines performance metrics, distribution data, lifecycle reporting, and badge rankings in a single location.
Before You Begin
To use Analytics, you must have access to the Analytics workspace in Parchment Digital Badges.
Analytics data can be viewed at different levels depending on your permissions:
- Organization level
- Issuer level
- Badge level
If you do not see Analytics in the navigation menu, contact your organization's Parchment Digital Badges administrator.
Open Analytics
- Sign in to Parchment Digital Badges.
- Select Analytics from the global navigation menu.
The Analytics page opens and displays organization, issuer, or badge data based on your permissions.
Filter Analytics Data
Before reviewing reports, select filters that match the information you want to analyze.
- Open the Analytics workspace.
- Select a date range from the Date menu.
- Select Filters.
- Choose one or more issuers, badges, or status options.
- Select Apply.
You can also select Reset to remove filters.
Using the same date range when comparing reports can help you identify changes over time.
Review Key Performance Metrics
| Metric | Description |
|---|---|
| Badges Awarded | The number of badges issued during the selected date range. |
| Acceptance Rate | The percentage of awarded badges that recipients accept or claim. |
| Share Rate | The percentage of badge recipients who share their badge with others. |
| Public Visibility Rate | A measure of how often badges are viewed after being shared. |
| Learner Engagement Score | A score based on badge acceptance and badge-sharing activity. |
| External Impact Score | A score that measures visibility generated through badge sharing. |
These metrics provide a high-level view of program activity and engagement.
Review the Badge Lifecycle
The Awarded Badges Lifecycle report shows how recipients engage with badges after they are awarded.
The lifecycle includes four stages:
- Awarded
- Accepted
- Shared
- Viewed
You can use lifecycle data to identify where engagement decreases between stages.
Example: Interpreting Lifecycle Data
| Lifecycle Pattern | What It May Indicate |
|---|---|
| Many badges awarded but few accepted | Recipients may need clearer instructions for claiming badges. |
| Many badges accepted but few shared | Recipients may not understand the value of sharing badges. |
| Many badges shared but few viewed | Shared badges may not be reaching intended audiences. |
| Strong progression across all stages | The badge is generating consistent engagement and visibility. |
Review Badge Distribution Channels
The Distribution Channels reports show how badges are awarded, shared, and viewed.
Awarding Methods
The Awarding Methods report shows how badges are distributed, such as:
- Manual awarding
- Learning management system (LMS) integrations
- Application programming interface (API) integrations
This information can help you understand how badges enter your credential ecosystem.
Sharing Methods
The Sharing Methods report shows how recipients share badges after claiming them.
Examples may include:
- Social media platforms
- Shared links
- Embedded badges
Review this report to understand how learners promote their achievements.
Viewing Methods
The Viewing Methods report shows where shared badges are viewed.
Use this information to identify channels that generate the greatest visibility.
Review Performance Over Time
The Performance Over Time chart displays engagement activity during a selected reporting period.
Use this chart to:
- Compare semesters or academic years.
- Evaluate the impact of program changes.
- Measure growth over time.
- Monitor engagement trends.
- Support program assessment and reporting.
Trend data can help determine whether engagement is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable.
Review Top-Performing Badges
The Top Performing Badges table compares badge performance using learner engagement and external impact metrics.
Review this report to identify badges that generate:
- Strong acceptance rates
- High sharing activity
- Increased visibility
- Consistent engagement trends
Comparing high-performing badges with lower-performing badges may help identify successful practices that can be applied across programs.
Compare Badge Alignment Performance
Analytics includes badge alignment reporting that allows you to compare badge performance across organizational structures.
Depending on how your badges are configured, alignment categories may include:
- Skills
- Groups
- Pathways
- Catalog listings
- Collections
Review alignment reports to determine whether certain badge structures are associated with stronger engagement or visibility.
Export Analytics Data
You can export analytics data for additional review and reporting.
- Go to the Top Performing Badges section.
- Select the options menu.
- Select Export Organization Badge List.
Exported data may be useful for:
- Annual program reports
- Assessment activities
- Grant reporting
- Strategic planning
- Student success initiatives
Organizations with API access may also integrate analytics data into other reporting workflows.
Recommended Analytics Review Process
- Review the Top Performing Badges report.
- Identify badges with strong engagement and visibility.
- Review Distribution Channels data to understand how those badges are shared and viewed.
- Review Lifecycle data to identify engagement drop-off points.
- Compare metrics with previous reporting periods.
- Document successful practices and areas for improvement.
- Apply findings to future badge design, communication, and implementation efforts.