Michaels & Associates

 

In order to demonstrate that an LMS provides you with functionality vital to the success of your business, be sure to identify and gather as many of the key stakeholders as you can. This group will include people who will not only evaluate the Learning Management Systems, but who will also use the final one you select.

In an ideal world, all stakeholders would take part in this exercise. In reality, this is not very practical. Instead, create an LMS committee that includes at least one representative from each appropriate department or company division. Then, gather your LMS committee together to complete the following analysis tasks:

1. Define Goals

Define the company's overall business goals and determine how an LMS would enhance these goals.

2. List Stakeholders

Regardless of who is on the committee, make a list of all key stakeholders involved in selecting an LMS. Categorize this list by departments and sub-categorize by job title.

3. Brainstorm a Wish List

Brainstorm an LMS features wish list. This list should include must-haves and nice-to-haves. If you have an existing LMS that is being evaluated to determine its current worth, write down its best characteristics and a second list for needed improvements.

4. Identify Communication Strategies

Select four or five departments from the master stakeholders list generated in number 2 above. For each department, identify the best communication strategies used for each. Be creative. These strategies should not pertain to LMS features or functionality.

5. Address the WIIFM

Select the two largest departments from those identified in number 4. Identify how an LMS would address the WIIFM (What's In It For Me?) for each department selected.

6. Repeat Process for Additional Strategies

Repeat steps 4 and 5 to identify the best strategies for the following: productivity, student involvement, administration involvement, courseware delivery and content development.

7. Determine Evaluation Criteria

Now that you have identified all aspects of WIIFM, determine the criteria you should use to evaluate an LMS. These could include a features comparison, ability to customize, cost, etc.

8. Determine Metrics

Determine the metrics you will use to assist in your evaluation, such as usability testing, documentation from vendors, creating courseware trial and comparison, etc.

9. Describe the Future

Briefly describe what a successfully implemented LMS would be for your organization. What data should be reported to provide as evidence of this success?

10. Review, Edit, Polish, Celebrate!

Review, edit and polish the material generated from this exercise. Then, celebrate your discoveries! You are on your way to acquiring an LMS perfectly suited to you, your stakeholders and your organization.

Final Thoughts

You'll find the benefit of this activity is really quite impactful. After all, you will be generating outcomes tailored to your needs that will help you stay focused on the selection process and less likely to be distracted or swayed by the "bells and whistles" you will encounter when trying out new a LMS.

Selecting an LMS can certainly be a challenge, especially when you consider the volatile nature of the LMS industry and the level of commitment your organization must make. And although following these ten steps will eliminate much of the frustration associated with this challenge, we are always here to help.