I asked before about switching form Sram to Shimano but have decided I really do like the Sram shifting and believe it would be much easier for someone to learn some basic mechanics to stick to Sram for this project.

I love my 2015 Awol, and actually ride this much more than my light fast boone, I need to re wrap the bars so figure its a good time to start playing with some upgrades. I really want to learn some basic maintenance and mechanics so figure why not.

Currently has.
Shifters: SRAM Apex
Front Derailleur: SRAM Apex
Rear Derailleur: SRAM X9 Type 2 10 spd long cage.
Cassette: Sram PG 1030 10 spd. 11-36

A few questions I have is, can I start with just shifters, or do I need to get complete group set?
I believe if I am going to go to 11 speed, I will need a new rear wheel, or hub so not sure if I should look into that when its time to upgrade cassette and derailleur.

What are you going to accomplish?
You already have some $pendy stuff on it now.

Most component upgrades don't make economic sense.

In the case in point, at minimum you'll have to buy new shifters, a new cassette and a new chain. I assume that your gearing range will remain the same so all the expenditure will have bought you is one more step in the gearing.

N+1 get a Sram Red* Equipped Bike if the Apex is no longer good enough for your refined tastes .

* or what ever else attracted Your Eye ...

Mebbe, mebbe not. I have a 2013 mixed group Tiagra and lower equipped Synapse I've been upgrading to full 6800. Total for parts somewhere north of $500. RS11 wheelset is a courtesy hand me down from an upgrade to another bike. As is the 11-32 Ultegra cassette. Has turned the Synapse into a whole better bike that I actually still want to ride vice using it as a put up with back-up.

I have no clue about the SRAM vs Shimano hierarchy, but it seems to me you were upgrading to what the OP already has.
Would you upgrade to Dura Ace just because, if you had started with 6800?

This is exactly how people end up N+1. I'm a one bike guy-- but not in a one bike family. My bike came equipped with 5700 105, so when I upgraded to 6700 Ultegra, the 5700 parts went on the wife's 4600 Tiagra equipped bike. The 4600 bits are destined for the bike I'm building for my son. Trickle down, yeah.

That wasn't my point. What was is that upgrading parts/ bits/stuff isn't necessarily an economic fool's errand

Probably the only " bang for the buck" upgrade would be to find yaw front DR.

In 10 spd you might be able to find a smoking deal even in red since the market has gone on to 11s

Other than that the only difference between groups will be a few grams lighter on both the bike and the wallet.

It is in THIS thread.

+1