Finding the right Learning Management System for your organization can be a long and tedious process. Businesses usually look into dozens of providers during the course of their search. As the choices narrow, and you start to demo the training solutions that rose to the top of your list, the platforms and features can start to blur together.

This article will discuss the most helpful questions to ask during a demo and the tools to use to ensure that you get the right system for your current and future training needs. 


 

3 Focus Areas in the LMS Evaluation Process

When evaluating a potential learning solution during a demo, there are a wide variety of factors to consider. Three areas deserve special attention: usability, customer service, and data. 

1. Platform Usability 

During the LMS demo, evaluate how usable the platform will be for your learners.

Questions that should be addressed include:

  • How easy is it for an administrator to upload and assign content?
  • Will my learners like and understand the user interface?
  • Are there different levels of admin roles?


 

2. Customer Support 

It is important to learn about the customer support a provider offers. Ask about the onboarding process as well as the procedures, and support provided for future questions or issues.

Questions to ask should include:

  • What is the onboarding process for the LMS?
  • How many hours of support will I receive every month?
  • Is there a support center online?
  • Will a Project Manager be assigned to me?


 

3. Technical Needs  

Pay special attention to any technical needs that may be required during the integration and ongoing operation of the software.

Examples include:

The more you learn about the technical aspects of the platform now, the better.


 

6 Key Questions to Ask During an LMS Demo

With these focal areas in mind, it’s time to dive deeper into the specific questions you can ask vendors as they demo their LMS solution. Regardless of your industry, business size or training needs, these 6 questions will be helpful in determining the right training platform for your business.

1. What’s the Best Pricing Option For My Company?

The best pricing option will naturally depend on your overall budget. Try to determine what you’ve spent on learning in the past, and what you’re willing to spend on a newer system.

Many solutions offer flexible pricing based on user amount or content possibilities. Learn what these options are, and which matches your company’s needs the best. Then, find a solution that both addresses these needs and stays within your budget.

2. How Will the LMS Scale As My Company Grows?

This question is closely related to the first one. Most companies assume growth, both in revenue and employees. That means your LMS has to scale with you. The same thing is also true for building more complex learning modules and content over time. Can the solution you’re considering accommodate that growth? It has to be able to, both in budget and capabilities. Flexible pricing models like the ones mentioned above can help to assure that fact.

3. What Will the LMS Implementation Process Be Like?

Change is inherently difficult, so you can expect at least some resistance from your teams in switching to a new learning system. You cannot make that process even more complex through a solution with a convoluted implementation process.

Try to find out the average installation and initial onboarding time for the solution as a whole. Then, replicate that process for each user that would learn through the LMS. Don’t rely on a solution that requires you to figure it out; find out early whether you will receive vendor-side support during implementation.

4. What Integration Features Can I Leverage For Productivity and Efficiency?

Integrations are important for streamlining the elearning process and tracking the impact of your training. Three integrations to look out for are:

  • Single Sign-On (SSO)
  • xAPI
  • Software Apps you already use.

Some integrations can be subtle. but it’s still important to find out about them early on in the LMS search. That way, you can plan with a more comprehensive strategy than just another isolated system.

5. Are There Any Extra Perks That Comes With the LMS?

Along with specific integrations, it is important to ask LMS vendors if there are extra tools or services that comes with their LMS. When going through the vendor selection process, it can be difficult to differentiate between what each provider can offer. Asking about the extra accessories can distinguish the good from the best LMS for your needs.

There are a variety of tools but specific ones to look out for are built in content creators, deals on partner products and access to other free elearning tools or apps.

6. How Can I Measure the Real Impact for My Organization?

Finally, don’t forget to pay attention to success metrics. An LMS that makes great promises but can’t reliably follow through on them is worth little. You have to be able to measure learning success on an organizational level.

To answer that question, you need to know which metrics you should measure to evaluate the effectiveness of your LMS to begin with. Then, you can use that information to find a solution that has these metrics integrated. The more you think about this process early, the better.

Finding Your Optimal LMS Solution Through a Comprehensive Approach

Finding an LMS takes time. You are about to make a significant investment in a platform designed to help your employees learn, complete onboarding, and improve over time. That can only be possible through a comprehensive approach.

Part of the approach includes developing an LMS checklist that walks you through your various needs and keeps you on track. But it’s also about asking the right questions, and knowing what to prioritize. That way, you end up with far superior chances of a successful long-term learning solution.


 

About Knowledge Anywhere 

Knowledge Anywhere is an eLearning company focused on providing flexible, modern learning and development solutions that enable organizations to harness the power of an engaged, knowledgeable workforce.

Our Learning Management System, Virtual Reality Training, and Course Development services, combined with our experience and customer support enables our users to create a learning and development program that boosts sales and drives company growth.

Sign up to receive industry tips, trends, & insights