Navigatr Quality Assurance Standards

What Are Navigatr's QA Standards?

Navigatr's Quality Assurance Standards are quality marks for digital badge design. When you see a badge displaying a QA Standard (Bronze, Silver, or Gold), it means the badge has been reviewed using Navigatr's 5-Step QA Process and professional quality checklist.

These standards provide validation that badges meet professional quality criteria and clearly communicate learning outcomes to employers and learners.

Three Levels of Quality Assurance

Bronze QA is reviewed by the creator and a colleague through self-review.

Silver QA is peer reviewed in a group setting with expert guidance from trained professionals.

Gold QA is independently verified by Navigatr's expert QA team.

All three levels follow the same 5-Step QA Process and use the same professional quality checklist. The difference is who conducts the review and the level of validation provided.

Bronze QA Standard - Self-Reviewed

What Does the Bronze QA Mark Mean?

When you see a badge with the Bronze QA Standard, you can be confident that:

✓ The badge has been self-reviewed by the creator and a colleague
✓ The 5-Step QA Process has been applied (Define, Write, Align, Review, Issue)
✓ Quality principles have been applied covering purpose, criteria, skills alignment, evidence, and metadata
✓ The badge has been designed using professional standards
✓ The creator has completed Bronze QA certification training

The Bronze QA Process

1. Badge Design - Creator applies the 5-Step QA Process

2. Self-Review - Creator reviews badge using the professional QA checklist

3. Peer Feedback - Colleague or peer provides review and feedback

4. Quality Verification - All nine quality criteria are checked

5. Iteration - Badge is refined based on feedback

6. Bronze QA Mark Applied - Creator adds the standard to their badge

Who Can Apply Bronze QA

Anyone who has completed the Bronze QA certification course (free).

Bronze QA is ideal for individuals creating badges, small projects wanting to apply quality principles, and organisations building internal QA capability.

Validity: Ongoing

Learn More: Bronze QA Certification

Silver QA Standard - Peer Reviewed

What Does the Silver QA Mark Mean?

When you see a badge with the Silver QA Standard, you can be confident that:

✓ The badge has been peer reviewed in a group setting with expert guidance
✓ It has passed peer review using the 9-point quality checklist
✓ All quality criteria have been verified (purpose, criteria, alignment, evidence, metadata)
✓ The reviewer completed Navigatr's Silver QA training
✓ The badge meets professional standards for credibility and employer trust
✓ The reviewing professional maintains current certification (valid 12 months, renewable)

The Silver QA Review Process

Badges displaying the Silver QA Standard have been through this quality assurance process:

1. Badge Design - Creator applies the 5-Step QA Process (Define, Write, Align, Review, Issue)

2. Peer Review - Silver QA Trained professional reviews the badge using the quality checklist in a group setting with expert guidance

3. Quality Verification - All nine quality criteria are assessed and verified:

  • Clear purpose and target audience defined

  • Specific, measurable criteria

  • Learning outcomes align with criteria

  • Evidence and assessment method specified

  • Correct badge type and mode selected (Navigatr Badge Framework)

  • Framework/standard alignment documented

  • Complete and accurate metadata

  • Working links and contact information

  • Endorsements secured (where applicable)

4. Feedback & Iteration - Badge creator receives constructive feedback and makes improvements

5. Silver QA Mark Applied - Once quality standards are met, the Silver QA Trained professional applies the standard

Validity Period

The Silver QA Standard is valid for 12 months from the date of review. This ensures:

  • Quality standards remain current with evolving best practices

  • Badge content and links are periodically re-verified

  • The reviewing professional maintains up-to-date QA training

After 12 months, badges should be re-reviewed to maintain the Silver QA Standard.

Who Can Apply Silver QA

Professionals who have completed Silver QA training and maintain current certification.

Silver QA is ideal for teams building capability in badge design, organisations issuing badges regularly, and anyone needing peer validation for credibility.

Training Investment: £375 (discounts for non-profits and public sector)

Learn More: Book a session for Silver QA

Gold QA Standard - Independently Verified

What Does the Gold QA Mark Mean?

When you see a badge with the Gold QA Standard, you can be confident that:

✓ The badge has been independently verified by Navigatr's expert QA team
✓ Professional specialists have reviewed the badge programme comprehensively
✓ Strategic guidance has been provided for organisational badge programmes
✓ The badge meets the highest professional standards
✓ Ongoing quality support is provided to maintain standards
✓ This represents the highest level of independent expert validation

The Gold QA Review Process

Badges displaying the Gold QA Standard have been through this quality assurance process:

1. Programme Assessment - Navigatr's expert team reviews your organisational badge programme

2. Comprehensive Review - Complete evaluation of badge design, quality processes, and implementation

3. Strategic Guidance - Expert recommendations for badge programme improvement and scaling

4. Quality Verification - Independent verification that all quality criteria meet professional standards

5. Implementation Support - Ongoing guidance for maintaining and improving badge quality

6. Gold QA Mark Applied - Navigatr's team applies the standard once verification is complete

Validity Period

The Gold QA Standard remains valid with ongoing expert support. This includes:

  • Regular quality reviews and updates

  • Strategic guidance as your programme evolves

  • Expert consultation on badge programme development

  • Continuous professional standards compliance

Who Can Apply Gold QA

Only Navigatr's expert QA team. This is a bespoke service for organisations issuing badges at scale.

Gold QA is ideal for organisational programmes, high-stakes credentials, badges requiring independent expert verification, and large-scale badge implementations.

Service Investment: £5,000+

Learn More: Gold QA Service | Contact: tim@navigatr.org

The 9-Point Quality Checklist

All three QA levels use the same professional quality checklist to ensure badges meet these criteria:

  1. Clear purpose and target audience defined

  2. Specific, measurable criteria

  3. Learning outcomes align with criteria

  4. Evidence and assessment method specified

  5. Correct badge type and mode selected (Navigatr Badge Framework)

  6. Framework/standard alignment documented

  7. Complete and accurate metadata

  8. Working links and contact information

  9. Endorsements secured (where applicable)

The difference is who conducts the review:

Bronze is reviewed by the creator and a colleague through self-review. Silver is peer reviewed in a group setting with expert guidance. Gold is independently verified by Navigatr's expert team.

Which QA Level Is Right For You?

Choose Bronze QA if you are:

  • Creating individual badges or small projects

  • Learning quality assurance principles

  • Preferring self-paced, free training

  • Building internal QA capability

Choose Silver QA if you are:

  • Building team capability in badge design

  • Wanting peer validation from trained professionals

  • Needing external validation for credibility

  • Issuing badges regularly within your organisation

Choose Gold QA if you are:

  • Issuing badges at organisational scale

  • Requiring independent expert verification

  • Needing strategic guidance for badge programmes

  • Wanting the highest level of quality assurance

Get Started

Bronze QA Certification - Free
Complete the self-paced Bronze QA course and gain certification to apply the Bronze QA Standard to badges you create.
Start Bronze QA Course

Silver QA Training - £295-500
Join live peer review training with expert guidance. Build capability to apply Silver QA to your organisational badges.

Gold QA Service - £ Contact us
Get independent expert verification for your badge programme. Bespoke service for organisations issuing at scale.
Contact Us

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I upgrade from Bronze to Silver or Gold?
Yes! Bronze provides the foundation, Silver adds peer validation, and Gold offers independent expert verification. Many organisations start with Bronze and progress as their badge programme grows.

Do all three levels use the same quality checklist?
Yes. All three levels use the same 9-point professional quality checklist. The difference is who conducts the review and the level of external validation.

How long does each QA process take?
Bronze QA can be completed in 4-6 hours (self-paced). Silver QA training is 2 hours live plus badge review time. Gold QA timing depends on the scope of your badge programme.

Can I have badges at different QA levels?
Absolutely. You might use Bronze for internal training badges, Silver for public credentials, and Gold for high-stakes certifications.

What happens when Silver QA certification expires after 12 months?
Complete a refresh training to renew your certification and continue applying Silver QA to badges.

How is Bronze QA different if it includes peer review?
Bronze QA involves self-review by the creator plus feedback from a colleague or peer. This is informal peer review within your organisation. Silver QA involves structured peer review in a group setting with professionals external to your organisation, guided by Navigatr's expert team.

Who owns the quality standards?
Navigatr owns and maintains all three quality standards. Bronze and Silver trained professionals are licensed to apply these standards to badges they create or review.

Questions About Quality Assurance?

Email: tim@navigatr.org
Website: https://www.navigatr.org