An 8-Step Process for Smooth LMS Implementation

The process of rolling out a Learning Management System can be both exciting and terrifying. An LMS can be a pool of knowledge that your employees enjoy swimming in or a swamp that they avoid. 

Smooth LMS implementation is more than just choosing a platform and loading up courses. It takes careful planning, strategic decision-making, goal-setting, regular (re)assessment, and careful planning. Every LMS is different. However, a well-defined process will help you adhere to a plan that's based on industry best practices and tailored to your company's specific circumstances.

Here's what you need for a successful LMS implementation. These eight steps will help you master both phases.

Step 1: Define your training goals and set business objectives

Setting goals for your LMS is an essential step in any project. You should clearly define your goals for the system, both in terms of training and organization. Setting goals will lead to a more successful implementation.

Assuming your goal is to increase sales, then your training objective would be to train your sales representatives faster and more frequently, and to calculate the impact that training has on winning rates. An LMS should allow you to quickly train your reps on new products and pitches and then calculate the impact of that training on their win rate.

Here are some tips for setting and measuring your goals.

• Define specific business goals that you want the LMS to address, such as reducing training costs or increasing employee engagement.
• Set training goals that are aligned with your business objectives. If your objective is to increase employee engagement, your goal could be to introduce on-demand training or peer-to-peer learning.
• Set key performance indicators to ensure that you do not lose sight of your goal.

Step 2: Select a learning management system that meets your requirements.

In a recent survey, 44% of businesses utilizing learning technology are considering replacing it within two years. It is a waste of both time and money. Consider your preferred training style and choose the right size for your company. 

When selecting an LMS, it is important to consider various factors: the user experience for authors and learners, the price of the tool in comparison to its features, and the capability to scale with the company's objectives.

Step 3: Form a team to implement the LMS.

Identifying and selecting the people responsible for implementing the LMS is of prime importance. To achieve the best results, a well-rounded team should have clear roles and responsibilities. Moreover, they must be prepared for any eventuality.

The following people will be essential to the success of your LMS implementation:

• Project leader who coordinates with the other team members and has an overview of the project
• Each major department should have a subject-matter expert or authors who can create content on particular topics.
• A specialist who manages the LMS infrastructure to ensure a positive experience for the users
• An IT specialist who is capable of resolving technical issues that may arise during or after the launch
• LMS should be promoted internally by a sales director who recognizes its importance and encourages others to utilize it. The person in this role shares and tracks the LMS' impact on team performance

Step 4: Determine a realistic time frame for your LMS implementation

A number of factors will determine the timeline of your LMS implementation, including project scope, experience, and the chosen LMS. A vendor-hosted LMS, also known as SaaS or cloud LMSs, takes between three to nine months to implement. An on-premise LMS is hosted on your server and can take six to twelve months.

Setting realistic deadlines is essential since missed deadlines can lead to a significant loss of time and money. In order to complete the project, you will need to calculate the amount of time and resources you can dedicate to it. Additionally, create a rollout schedule that allows for a buffer period in case of unforeseen events.

Calendars can not only be used to outline what tasks are to be completed when, but also serve as a visual representation of how your LMS implementation team allocates tasks.

Step 5: Decide whether to migrate existing learning content or create new learning content (or both)

Your company may already have prerecorded lessons or interactive courses. It is important to decide whether your LMS will migrate existing courses, create new courses or offer a combination of both.

You will need to weigh the advantages of starting from scratch against the risks of using existing content that may not meet the quality standards.

Here are a few tips to help you prepare for content.

• To identify the content that remains relevant, perform a check. This will help you identify course requirements, identify subject areas, and prevent duplication.
• Make sure your content is compatible with the new tool. You may need to make adjustments if necessary. You should create more courses with the LMS so you can maximize its effectiveness. 
• Create new interactive courses that engage learners and keep them engaged.

Step 6: Perform a pilot

By testing your LMS solution, you can improve the user experience for both instructors and learners. To ensure you are ready for launch, test your LMS with a small group of people.

You will be able to identify any problems and ensure that you have the tools to correct them before you launch this beta test. Management should be involved in the development of the communication plan to ensure that relevant information can be communicated to their teams.

Here is how you should conduct a pilot:

• Select between 20 and 50 learners that are representative of your future targets. Include managers and trainer leaders in the feedback process.
• Bring your learners into the testing process. You can determine how easy the onboarding process is and how long it takes for authors to create courses. In addition, you should assess how learners respond to the courses.

Step 7: Use the beta test results to industrialize

By industrializing, we mean taking the lessons learned from the beta launch and applying them to the live launch. From beta testing you have a blueprint; now you need to pick what worked and leave out what didn't.

What is the best way to launch an LMS?

• Employees will be happy to hear that the beta test has begun.
• Use the learnings from the beta system when you launch. Based on their experiences with the beta system, both the implementation team as well as the learners would be a part of the system.

Step 8: Get real-time feedback so your LMS can perform at its best

Your LMS's success depends on how well it is used by the people it serves. So, it's critical to set up a system to collect their feedback in order to understand what's working, what isn't, and how to make your LMS the best learning tool possible for your unique team. This feedback will give you an insight into the learning habits of your learners and their satisfaction with the course.

Here are some ways to gather feedback and then use it.

• Your LMS should make it easy to gather feedback. A collaborative learning platform has feedback and reactions built into it so that courses are live and constantly updated.
• Compare the feedback to the goals. Collect qualitative and quantitative feedback to get an idea of how employees respond and whether your LMS is objectively achieving the goals you set.

Conclusion

Implementation is just the beginning. Implementation is only the beginning of your organization's learning curve. Maintaining an LMS by establishing governance, setting goals, and tracking results will leverage your learning system to achieve its full potential. Contact SeekLMS for more information.