Wednesday, 18 September 2019
Wednesday, 11 September 2019
Got LMS Implementation Questions? Ask a Learning Tech Analyst
Welcome back to our “Ask Me Anything” column! Previously, we explored extended enterprise learning tech trends, and talked about how organizations can choose the best learning system for their needs. Today, let’s move to the next step – LMS implementation.
What’s in that “black box” sitting between your purchase decision and deployment?
Choosing an LMS isn’t the end. It’s actually the start of a whole new adventure. And implementation is the connective tissue that can move you in the right direction. (Or if you’re not careful, it can derail you even before you get out of the gate!)
I think that’s why so many people are uneasy about software implementation. It’s fraught with uncertainty and risk. But it’s not magic. With realistic expectations and the right approach, implementation can make your new learning system the success it deserves to be. Here’s how…
Ask Me Anything: About LMS Implementation
1) How difficult is LMS implementation, really?
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Good news. LMS implementation is generally much faster, cheaper and easier than it was a decade ago, thanks largely to the massive shift toward cloud-based applications.
However, it’s not the instant slam-dunk that some vendors may want you to believe – especially for extended enterprise learning. These solutions involve many moving pieces, some of which operate outside of your LMS and your organization’s control.
2) Does the level of implementation difficulty depend on the system you choose?
Absolutely. But frankly, if you pick the wrong tool for the job, you’ll probably never be 100% satisfied.
Fortunately, there’s something for everyone. That’s because the LMS landscape has mushroomed to more than 1000 systems in recent years (also thanks to the rise of cloud computing). Many of these solutions specialize in some form of extended enterprise learning. But you have to sort through all the options to find the right needle somewhere in that massive haystack.
And there’s the rub. Choosing the best learning system for your needs is much more challenging these days. A decade ago, the LMS space was defined by a handful of well-known employee learning platforms. No more.
That’s why independent advisors like us exist. Every day, we’re in the trenches helping organizations choose new systems, so we know what realistic LMS selection and implementation requirements look like.
3) What level of LMS customization is reasonable to expect?
Well, I think “customization” is a dangerous word. Configuration is what you are looking for. To learning systems vendors, it suggests that you want to change the underlying software code.
It’s best to avoid customization unless it’s absolutely necessary. Because once you alter the code, you’ll likely face ongoing complications with maintenance and system upgrades.
4) How can we tailor an LMS to fit our particular needs?
Extended enterprise learning systems offer varying degrees of “configuration.” This is what you should look for. Configurable systems include predefined settings that let you chose how a specific feature behaves in your deployment.
For example, many learning systems include configurable settings for various user interface elements. This makes it easy to create a look and feel for your learning environment that aligns with audience interests and your brand standards.
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Low-configuration systems are often very good at precisely what they are designed to do. But because their breadth of functionality is limited, they don’t adapt well to changing needs. These systems tend to appeal to first-time buyers, who see them as an easy way to get started.
But keep in mind that it’s easy to outgrow these systems as your business requirements become more sophisticated. That’s why highly configurable systems are more appealing when organizations are trading up to a second or third LMS, or are operating in a dynamic business environment.
5) What if we want to connect other applications with our LMS?
You’re not alone. Today, even small businesses rely on expansive digital ecosystems.
Regardless, a learning system must fit into your unique technology infrastructure. That means you should expect strong integration support in whatever solution you choose.
Fortunately, most extended enterprise learning systems include excellent API integration capabilities, along with strong out-of-the-box application connectors, webhooks and notification engines.
This approach ensures that your LMS is ready to snap into your tech environment today and will continue to evolve along with you.
6) As an LMS selection consultant, do you ensure that vendors deliver what they promise?
Unfortunately, vendor amnesia happens. But a good LMS selection consultant can restore foggy memories with thorough documentation.
That’s one reason why we clarify buyer requirements in a formal RFP. Plus, we record product demonstrations and capture notes from every session in the selection process. It’s a buying blueprint that you can also use as an implementation reference tool whenever questions arise.
In addition, for clients who want our guidance beyond the primary selection process, we offer “Implementation Liaison” services. This is when we operate as a virtual member of the project team to help move LMS implementation forward. In this role, we advocate on our client’s behalf throughout the process to ensure strong results.
7) What do you do when a vendor drops the ball?
It’s important to remember that LMS providers have a vested interest in delivering on their promises. Success leads to new sales opportunities – especially when working with consultants like us, who recommend vendors on a continuous basis.
We often remind vendors not to misrepresent their capabilities in a proposal or demo, or overlook their implementation responsibilities. Otherwise, they’ll get a one-way ticket to our doghouse. (And no one wants to be in our doghouse!)
8) How long does it take to implement and deploy an LMS?
I hate fuzzy “it depends” answers. But truly, it depends on a variety of factors:
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- Is this your first LMS? Or are you replacing an existing system(s)?
- How much content will be loaded or migrated into the system?
- What types of content are involved?
- How many users and historical records will be included?
- How homogenous are the various learner audiences and business workflows?
- What kind of tech integrations must be completed prior to launch?
- How much experience does your team have with similar implementations?
- Are resources available internally to drive this process?
- How will holidays, vacations and seasonal workloads affect team availability?
Any combination of these factors can directly influence your implementation schedule. That said, here are some general guidelines to keep in mind:
First-time solutions with relatively simple requirements can be deployed in only a few weeks. On the other end of the spectrum, highly complex, large-scale scenarios can easily take a year or more to complete. However, most implementations require a 3-5 month timeline.
9) How much does LMS implementation, testing and deployment cost?
The level of necessary professional services and their cost is a differentiator among learning systems providers. You can find a wide range of possibilities, from free to ridiculously expensive.
Some vendors rely on professional services as a money-maker. Others provide solid implementation services, but they don’t charge much because the value of long-term license revenue is more important to them.
Here’s one point of reference: We find that extended enterprise deployments with moderate complexity tend to fit in the $50,000-$100,000 cost range.
By the way, we know the implementation strategy and pricing approach of more than 200 learning systems we’ve analyzed. In fact, this is one of the criteria we use when developing LMS shortlist recommendations.
10) Should we test systems with a proof-of-concept or pilot program before jumping into implementation and deployment?
It’s important to understand the difference between proof-of-concept and pilot:
1) PROOF OF CONCEPT (POC)
Vendors often provide a sandbox that buyers can use to test and verify critical use scenarios. Great vendors use this as an opportunity to shine. They pre-populate the sandbox with relevant branding, content and learner profiles, so a buyer can readily evaluate the system’s capabilities in action.
Some vendors insist on orientation or training sessions to be sure buyers are successfully introduced to their system. Others simply hand over the keys. When buyers hire us to help with vendor selection, we include targeted use case demonstrations as a key evaluation step. This ensures that a POC environment is available to you much earlier than normal in the selection and implementation process.
2) PILOT
A pilot project occurs after a contract is signed. Typically, it involves a limited rollout with a small, representative user group, so you can identify and resolve key issues before a full-scale rollout.
This is usually a wise practice because it minimizes risks and surprises. Unfortunately, it is often omitted because rollout schedules are too tight.
In extreme cases where failure could bring monumental consequences, buyers may pay one or more “finalist” vendors to provide pre-contract pilots.
11) Who should review and sign-off on an LMS pilot?
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Who should be involved is usually easy to determine. The operative question is how much should they be involved? Too many cooks in the kitchen are exactly that!
Generally, throughout the entire LMS selection and implementation process, it’s useful to include stakeholders from the business unit, the executive team, IT, project management and possibly HR.
We often coach buyers to create a 2-Tier pilot review structure:
TIER 1
This is the core team. It includes day-to-day stakeholders and often the ultimate administrative owners of the application.
TIER 2
This is the “extended” team that will use the application in practice. It often includes training teams, customer service, sales and/or compliance groups.
Typically, we recommend that Tier 1 members attend all meetings throughout the selection and implementation process. The Tier 2 team is included only at key milestones such as RFP evaluation, demonstrations and proof of concept review.
12) We’ll need someone to manage implementation for us. Who should we trust?
Some LMS companies depend on third-party experts to implement their solutions. For instance:
- Vendors involved in large, complex deployments for large, complex organizations
- Vendors that offer purely custom solutions – also for large, complex buyers
- Open-source learning systems vendors – where third-party service providers exclusively manage deployment, hosting and support
There are pros and cons associated with third-party development partners. For example:
- You’re working with dedicated resources who are experienced at deploying the LMS you selected. However, those resources can come at a significant premium.
- With open-source systems, the cost of professional developers is often offset by no/low system licensing costs. However, for other scenarios, the cost premium can be significant.
- An independent developer may help clarify questions and streamline the implementation process. However, it adds a layer of communication complexity and potential conflict when troubles arise between vendor, customer and development provider.
Some LMS vendors offer their own professional services group. These organizations often are willing to forego a business opportunity if their team can’t manage deployment.
13) Hiring a dedicated systems implementation firm is overkill for us. Should we consider a temporary independent adviser?
This can be a wise move. Reputable vendors usually assign their own system roll-out resources, but buyers are expected to shoulder many action items along the way.
Most organizations benefit from an extra set of experienced hands to help guide them through LMS implementation and deployment. Often, the timeline is driven by competing priorities and immovable events, or staff resources are stretched too thin.
Under these circumstances, expert temporary resources can keep a project on track and provide a sober, independent checkpoint for ongoing advice. If you want more information about why it pays to have an implementation advocate in your corner, or if you have additional LMS implementation questions, let’s talk.
Thanks for reading!
EDITOR’S NOTE: Got more questions you want John to answer in his “Ask Me Anything” column? Submit your question here. You might just be featured in a future post!
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LMS Selection Step-by-Step
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With hundreds of learning systems available today, finding the right LMS for your unique extended enterprise needs can be tricky. But with so much at stake for, it’s worth the extra effort.
How can you choose the best solution? Walk step-by-step through a real-world example with John Leh, CEO and Lead Analyst at Talented Learning. You’ll learn:
- How to develop a relevant business case and success metrics
- Methods for researching and defining use cases and requirements
- When to issue an RFP (or not)
- Tips for creating a viable LMS shortlist
- How to make the most of vendor demos and proof-of-concept projects
Need Proven LMS Selection Guidance?
Looking for a learning platform that truly fits your organization’s needs? We’re here to help! Submit the form below to schedule a free preliminary consultation at your convenience.
The post Got LMS Implementation Questions? Ask a Learning Tech Analyst appeared first on Talented Learning.
Got LMS Implementation Questions? Ask a Learning Tech Analyst original post at Talented Learning
Tuesday, 3 September 2019
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Wednesday, 7 August 2019
Association LMS Buyers Companion – 2019 Edition
August is here – and not a moment too soon! Most of us look forward to this month as an opportunity to take a break from work. These dog days of summer invite us to relax and recharge before we jump into back-to-school activities and the fall business rush.
But association executives look forward to August for a very different reason. This is when thousands of leaders come together for the ASAE Annual Meeting. The conference is a great chance to reconnect with colleagues, discuss industry trends and pursue top-notch professional development.
How Learning Tech Buyers Can Prepare for ASAE
ASAE is also the place to be if you’re interested in new association learning technology. Each year, the variety of tools displayed in the vendor expo grows deeper and more expansive.
But with so many options, how can you select the right solution for your continuing education programs? And what’s the smartest way to narrow your focus?
The software selection journey is hard to navigate alone. So why not take an independent learning systems advisor along for the ride? I won’t be on-site at ASAE to walk the exhibit floor with you. But here’s the next best thing…
Inside the “Association LMS Buyers Companion”
Below is a special collection of free online resources to help you choose tools that will move your organization’s learning agenda forward:
- PODCASTS – “Hot topic” interviews with association practitioners and innovators on The Talented Learning Show
- BLOG POSTS – Independent advice, straight from our analysts
- WEBINARS – In-depth sessions featuring association community pace-setters
- WHITEPAPERS – Hype-free insights you can download anytime
- AWARDS – Our choices for the Top 25 Continuing Education Systems in 2019
We hope this guide is helpful, whether you attend the ASAE conference or not. Also, if you’d like more direct guidance, feel free to contact me for a free initial phone consultation.
PODCASTS
Read highlights and listen to complete 30-minute interviews from The Talented Learning Show:
1) How are associations transforming certification?
Modern Certification Programs – With Arleen Thomas of AICPA
2) How can you build a great online destination for learning?
Launching a Learning Portal – With DirectEmployers Association
3) How do nonprofits engage and educate extended members and volunteers?
Managing Nonprofit Member Education at the Land Trust Alliance
4) How does social learning improve infant healthcare?
Collaborative Medical Education at Vermont Oxford Network
5) How are associations driving new training revenues?
Association LMS Trends – With Linda Bowers of WBT Systems
6) What’s the best way to choose association software?
Selecting Association Software – With Chad Stewart of SmartThoughts
7) How are associations preparing for the future?
Top Association Technology Trends – With Tamer Ali of Community Brands
BLOG POSTS
Independent advice from our analyst team:
1) Association learning systems: Why invest in a specialized LMS?
How can you provide more valuable education to more people – and charge more for it – so you can expand your organization’s reach? Here’s how the right LMS supports that strategy…
2) How do associations drive lifelong learning? It depends
Associations everywhere strive to attract and retain members through lifelong learning experiences. But there are many ways to achieve this goal…
3) What’s the recipe for continuing education LMS success?
Today’s continuing education market is sweet. But success requires all the right ingredients – including essential LMS functionality…
4) How can you enhance conference learning with online video?
The popularity of online video is undeniable. But are you making the most of video strategies to improve conference learning experiences…?
5) Learning events: How can you level up your content programming?
Associations everywhere offer continuing education. But how can smart content programming differentiate your learning events? Try these expert tips…
6) Innovative LMS features: What’s real and what’s hype?
Wonder if your organization is missing out on innovative learning platform features? Maybe it’s time for a hype-factor reality check…
7) Association LMS e-commerce: How can you lift online learning sales?
How do member-based organizations succeed at selling online learning? Find out why it pays to rely on specialized e-commerce solutions…
8) Social learning for associations: What should you expect in a modern LMS?
Which social learning functionality do member-based organizations value most? For stronger collaboration and knowledge sharing, consider these features…
9) Should your association move to a new LMS for continuing education?
No association can afford to manage continuing education with a non-profit mentality. But is upgrading to a new association LMS your best bet?
10) How does LMS selection work? This association case reveals all
There are nearly 1000 viable learning systems today. How do you pick the best one for your organization’s needs? This real-world LMS selection case offers lessons for both buyers and sellers…
WEBINARS
Register for any one of these free sessions, and you’ll gain access to our entire library of webinars and other resources at The Talented Learning Center!
1) What’s hot (or not) in association learning tech?
with Michelle Brien, VP Marketing, WBT Systems
2) How do associations build successful online programs?
Roundtable with Joe McLatchie, Sr. Manager AICPA,
Seewan Eng, Sr. Director of Technology, New Teacher Center,
Edward Daciuk, Principal Learning Strategist, ExtensionEngine
3) How can you rise above continuing education barriers?
Roundtable with Katie Hill, Associate Director at the DIA,
Dave Kestenbaum, Director of eRating Certification, University of Vermont,
Tamer Ali, SVP at Community Brands
4) How can you take your online events to the next level?
Roundtable with Katie Grier Sr. eLearning and Data Analyst at NCACPA,
Nora Murphy, Online Learning Manager at PRIM&R,
Jessica Lane, Director of Client Success at Freestone LMS
5) What are best practices in managing complex CEUs?
Featuring Bill Snowden, CTO, eLogic Learning
6) How should you pick an association LMS?
Featuring Linda Bowers, CTO, WBT Systems
7) How are associations bridging the learning analytics gap?
Featuring Tamer Ali, Co-Founder of Authentic Learning Labs
WHITEPAPERS
Download insights from our analysts – free when you register at the Talented Learning Center:
1) Understanding Complex CE Trends and Technology
2) Visualizing Learning Impact: How Can Analytics Connect the Dots?
AWARDS
Which association learning systems stand out from the rest? Read about our top 25 choices and learn why we recommend the solutions listed below. See the full 2019 awards analysis here:
Talented Learning LMS Awards – Continuing Education Systems
WINNERS 2019
READ THE FULL AWARDS POST
BenchPrep
Blue Sky eLearn
CE21
CommPartners
Community Brands Crowd Wisdom
Community Brands Freestone
Digitec Interactive
EthosCE
ExtensionEngine
Higher Logic
mElimu
Thought Industries
WBT Systems
Web Courseworks
Yardstick
FINALISTS 2019
BlueVolt
Cornerstone
eLogic Learning
Holmes Corporation
Kokm
LearningCart
LearnDash
LearnWorlds
Teachable
Thinkific
Still confused about which LMS is best for your association’s needs? I’m here to help. Feel free to contact me anytime to schedule a preliminary phone consultation:
The post Association LMS Buyers Companion – 2019 Edition appeared first on Talented Learning.
Association LMS Buyers Companion – 2019 Edition original post at Talented Learning