5 Ways to Implement a Successful Learning Management System for Your Business

Five Essentials for a Successful LMS Implementation After analyzing the benefits, calculating the potential return on investment and selecting an online learning platform to deliver company training, you’re ready to begin implementation. Before you do, consider the following tips for the most successful deployment.

Define a clear administrative team. Launching a new technology requires dedication and persistence.

Early in the process, define a person or team responsible for the initial — and ongoing — content management, administration, logistics and system support. Establish an administrator role to oversee your learning management system, ensure program ownership and accountability, and make sure new content updates occur regularly and promptly.

Tie the solution to corporate goals and initiatives. Nothing kills efforts faster than over-promising and under-delivering. Before implementation, have definitive, achievable metrics that the learning management system (LMS) will help the company achieve. These metrics should be tied to overall organization goals and objectives. Discuss with various departments in your organization their key initiatives and pain points and how the LMS can help. The best elearning solutions allow companies to share and upload information across departments and locations, ensuring consistent, accurate and accessible communication to all learners. For example, your HR department can use the platform to manage compliance trainings while your marketing department can load product information.

Ensure adequate technical integration. Unless your LMS is fully hosted it is important to have excellent technical support from the IT department both pre- and post-implementation. Ensure the tech team understands not only how the program integrates technically with current and planned programs, but also how it benefits the organization. Many companies select cloud-based, Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) technology to host their online learning. Hosting your training program on the Cloud maximizes the effectiveness of shared resources, and allows for re-allocation based on demand.

Establish resources for content curation. Successful training programs regularly provide new content. If your organization does not have an instructional designer or dedicated content developer, establish regular sources to curate and share information online. Conduct a communications audit to determine what existing resources can be repurposed.

Create a solid communication plan to roll out the program. Introducing new systems — and new technology — requires planning and rollout to internal audiences. Introduce the concept early in the process and encourage questions and feedback. It is important to market the new system internally to get the users excited and eager to use the LMS. Clearly communicate how the system benefits individual learners to build interest and encourage adoption.

The best LMS providers help companies analyze needs and anticipate barriers prior to launch, ensuring the training platform is well received and readily accepted. Feeling prepared to integrate a learning management system helps you approach the implementation phase with confidence. What tips do you have to share about successfully implementing an LMS?