A Learning Management System – also referred to as an LMS – is an electronic resource that trains and engages people with content that helps them learn. Content can include coursework, virtual sessions, live webinars, static tools, white papers and more. Companies can use an LMS in a variety of ways. An LMS can help onboard new employees or grow talent in existing ones. Retailers or companies can use an LMS to train or educate sales associates on how to sell products or boost general sales skills. Brands can use an LMS to teach their customers how to get the most out of a product – for example, training plumbers on how to use a new tool. In each case, an LMS is a resource that helps a brand boost their image.
To build an LMS that creates value, it’s important to look at a variety of factors. Ask yourself these questions:
What’s your overall goal?
Your goals can be tied to your overall business or brand strategy. For example, if your brand identity is tied to service, an LMS is a great way to support your customers outside of traditional phone and in-person tools. Your goal with your LMS should be tied to your audience – employees, customers, consumers, dealers or partners – and the desired learning outcomes. Do you want your audience to be able to perform a specific task after completing training? Do you want them to be able to train others? Are increased sales the end goal? Define what success looks so you have a clear means of measuring if your LMS supports it.
What does an ideal learning path look like?
An LMS is more than just a place to store resources. Instead, it should be a place that’s personalized to the learner, offering training and development pathways that promise enhanced skills and better sales or service results. The best LMS systems include more than “one-and-done” learning. They offer clear coursework and a learning path – one lesson leads to another which ultimately leads to certification. Certification allows users to gain a sense of accomplishment and completion.
Learning paths should also be circular. This allows people to return to lessons to refresh their knowledge. Searchability, clear navigation and a portal that lets users see what they’ve done and what’s coming helps people feel more connected to your overall message. If your content is organized, that reflects well on your brand.
What type of content will be the most engaging for the audience?
Learning comes in all shapes and sizes. Long courses. Short reference tools. Videos that can be viewed in two minutes on a phone. Interactive gamified sessions that dive deep. Even live sessions with Q&A.
There are many options available for learning, and which is right for you depends a lot on your audience. Typically, the best LMS systems used a blended approach to learning, combining microlearning with long-form courses and instructor-led sessions with virtual training.
How will you update and maintain your LMS?
Learning systems fail when they overwhelm users. Content needs to be up-to-date and useful. Before launching an LMS, consider who will own it. Who will be responsible for developing and posting new content and retiring outdated courses? Who will approve users and monitor enrollments? Hosting an LMS is similar to hosting a website; links need to be checked, and content needs to be on brand. An LMS governance plan can help with some of these to-do items and should include:
- Naming conventions
- User permissions
- Review schedules
- Compliance requirements
How will you encourage participation and measure performance?
Hosting an LMS is one thing; getting people to use it and value it is another. Consider how you’ll grow users, including an on-going campaign that attracts people to your platform and rewards them for participation. Then, have a plan in place for measuring performance. Knowledge checks and quizzes can help learners feel a sense of accomplishment and help you measure the effectiveness of your learning tools. Learner feedback can also help you understand what people find most valuable.
Some LMS systems will include specifics related to analytics. This type of insight can help improve future training.
How do you want learners to access your LMS?
Not all LMS systems are created equal. The right LMS partner can help you with hosting, cleanup and content development. It’s important to find an LMS partner that offers scalability, reporting and analytics, integration with CRMs like Salesforce, and mobile accessibility.
Dennison has extensive experience organizing complex materials into cohesive professional training solutions. Our LMS sites have made it possible for thousands of users to receive the professional training and certifications needed to continue working in their fields. These systems are both Tin Can API and SCORM compliant and adhere to the latest e-learning industry trends for creating robust learning experiences. Contact us to learn more.