You deployed a new Learning Management System last year, how did it go?

With any enterprise deployment, it is always helpful to review how the implementation went. Your organization most likely invested a significant amount of time in researching, vetting, and selecting a new LMS provider. In addition, there is the total investment of the system which includes the amount paid to the vendor and costs associated with data migration, integration, internal support costs, and the development expense of new courses.

To get the most out of your LMS moving forward, take a look at where you have come from by completing a five-point checkup.

1. What was the total cost of the implementation compared to the budget?

Remediation: If the project was over budget, what caused the overage and what can be done to minimize the spend going forward.

2. How many learners have accessed the system thus far?

Remediation: If the usage is lower than expected, is there a lack of communication, support, or engaging content?

3. How many courses have been completed?

Remediation: Along with the items mentioned in number 2, we find the creation of new online learning material often overwhelms training team and thus quality courses are slow to come.

4. What is the level of feedback from the learners?

Remediation: First, it is critical to collect quantitative and qualitative learner feedback. If the feedback is less than stellar, do the low feedback scores relate to the system or the content. What can be addressed?

5. Has the system delivered an increase in revenue, productivity, adherence to policies and or reduce the overall costs?

Remediation: This is most likely not an issue with the LMS, but an issue with checklist items 1, 2, or 3. It is good to audit the training paths to determine the connection to the business results. If your new LMS failed one or two of these checkpoints, make it a goal during the next 12 months to improve with quality content, communication and responsiveness to feedback. If your new LMS failed all the checkpoint items, it might be time to reconsider the decision and switch to a different LMS. This can be a painful realization and decision. Before you go down the path of switching out the LMS, ensure the cause of the failure is with the LMS and not related to the content or organizational issues.