LMS glossary
Completion rate
Completion rate is the percentage of assigned learners who have finished a course or learning path. It is calculated as completions divided by assignments, usually for a given course, team or period. It is the most widely used training metric, though on its own it says nothing about where unfinished learners stopped.
Why it matters
Completion rate is the quickest way to see whether training is landing. Comparing it across teams and courses shows where to focus.
How to read it
Check the denominator: are inactive users or brand-new assignments included? Compare like with like, such as the same course across teams. Track it over time rather than as a one-off.
Common pitfalls
A low completion rate is a symptom, not a cause. It could be a hard assessment, a broken module, missing due dates or a team that never logs in. Look at where people stop before deciding what to fix.