The Integrated Performance Assessment Research (IPA) Foundation is a non-profit organization established to develop and advance the instructional technology field by creating and disseminating objective, reliable, and valid performance measurement instruments. The IPA research methodology assists professionals and organizations with measuring performance against known competency standards to help guide educational programming, selection, placement, career planning, and professional development.

In the instructional technology (IT) field, professionals must continually adapt in an ever-changing world market (Lui, Gibby, Quiros & Demp, 2002; Katz, 2005). Global competition, new methods and tools, fluctuations in a global world market, business acumen and strategy, positioning, and technological innovations are the norm in everyday business. There is a demand for IT professionals who can adapt to rigorous work environments while acquiring new competencies in a rapidly changing industry (Curtis, Hefley, & Miller, 2002; Lui et al., 2002; Lui, Jones, & Hempstreet, 1998).

IT professionals “have a responsibility to keep their skills current” (Rothwell & Kazanas, 2004, p. 386). Updating and improving one’s knowledge, skills, and abilities is an important and essential competency (Richey, Fields, Foxon, Roberts, Spannaus, & Spector, 2001). Learning to adapt to extant and emerging business and technological trends is also an important technical leadership characteristic. Katz (2005) claimed that skill utilization, extension, and versatility are critical components for sustaining professional success and technical professionals must continually extend their knowledge and skill capabilities to grow, innovate, and lead.


In 1986 the International Board of Standards for Training, Performance, and Instruction (IBSTPI) sought to develop