Moving your training program online can be a daunting task. Especially after the grueling process of choosing the perfect learning management system (LMS).
Will the LMS work as demoed? Will the implementation go smoothly? Will your learners find your new LMS more engaging?
This blog will look at 5 common fears organizations have before moving their learning program online. Plus, you’ll learn what questions to ask your LMS partner to stop these fears from becoming realities.
1. Implementation Failure
Implementation is probably the most stressful part of switching your learning program. Luckily, if you’ve asked the right questions during your buying process it should all go smoothly.
For example, you may find out you or your learning partner have missed key IT components. Or, you may worry about losing content. With any software migration, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Make backup copies of everything you can from your previous solution.
Questions to ask your LMS partner to avoid implementation failure:
- What will you do if we discover we need additional IT components?
- What training do you provide to help get our LMS administrators up to speed quickly?
- Do you have extra support for the weeks after launch to fix any errors?
- How long will it take to migrate our existing content?
2. Losing Revenue
You’ve seen the case studies. Your new LMS purchase promises to increase revenue, but what if it doesn’t? What if you don’t see the same 20% increase that CompTIA did from their online training programs?
The good news is that the data from your LMS will help you make decisions that lead to greater profitability. Your partner can help. You’re the expert in your field, but they’re the experts in learning science. They’ll be able to help you find new, innovative ways to generate revenue with your LMS.
Questions to ask your LMS partner:
- If we need to implement a B2B strategy, can we?
- Will your support team strategize with us to expand our market reach?
- What data analytics can we pull to inform our marketing plans?
- What are our future options if we need new courses?
🔎Related: Prep that Sets the Pace for Triple-Digit Revenue Growth [GMAC Case Study]
3. Missed Deadlines
You’ve decided to implement a learning management system (LMS) to save money and time for your organization. Missed deadlines won’t get you to either goal.
For an on-time launch, develop a project plan with clear implementation deadlines. At BenchPrep, we give our clients a dedicated Implementation Manager to keep the process moving smoothly.
Questions to ask your LMS partner:
- What deadlines do we need to meet for an on-time launch?
- Are we attached to a project manager at your company?
- Who makes the implementation project plan? What happens if it goes off track?
4. Overhauling Your Training Program
A new LMS presents a great opportunity to overhaul your program, but it can create new stress. Your team may be disrupted as they adopt new technology.
Luckily, data analytics are your friend. Unlike in-person training, data analytics shows you exactly where you need to make changes. You’ll be able to see where learners misunderstand a concept or drop off. Plus, your partner may have in-house instructional designers. They’ll help you optimize your online training program.
Questions to ask your LMS partner:
- Are learners dropping off at a certain point and not completing the course?
- How do the LMS reports measure a new course’s return-on-investment (ROI)?
- Do you have in-house instructional designers?
- Is an LMS the best way to learn this content? Do you need a blended solution?
🔎Related: Roadmap: Convert Your Classroom Resources into Powerful eLearning [ebook]
5. Fear of Missing Out (FOMO)
New technology automatically creates a sense of FOMO (fear-of-missing-out). Luckily, some of the most used features like assessment tools are some of the most common.
If you choose the right partner, they’ll stay up on the latest L&D trends anyways. Plus, they’ll be able to recommend different features to get you the same results. For example, if you want increased engagement from mobile, then you might want to use gamification features. Also, most LMS software integrates with other tools so you’ll still be able to buy new tools.
Questions to ask your LMS partner:
- Will a different feature yield the same results as a new trend?
- Are you able to recommend other products?
- Can your platform integrate other products using xAPI, SCORM, or LTI?
How to Conquer Your Fears for Good
If you’ve read all the way to the end of this blog post, then you’re well on the way to a successful program launch.
You’ve already done your due diligence in the buying process. You’re already working closely with your LMS partner. And, you’ve prepared yourself to face common issues.
Once you’ve hit program launch, it’s time for trust on both sides. Luckily, a learning program is not a life or death situation. You’ll be able to work together with your partner to fix any remaining bugs as they come up.
And, just remember, all those little bugs will just make your learning program better for your users.
If you’re still trying to decide on what learning technology to buy, download our ebook, The CLO’s Handbook for Choosing Learning Technology to Grow Your Business.
