How to Successfully Implement an LMS

A learning management system (LMS) is eLearning software meant to streamline learning and manage the entire process of training. LMSs were developed by IT experts and educators to address the lack of administrative tools to organise, monitor, control, and evaluate online learning activities of students and trainees.

As with any new technology, there are some challenges that arise with implementing an LMS. In this article, we’ll learn some time-tested methods to successfully implement an LMS.

Planning an LMS Implementation

Planning is a major factor to a successful LMS implementation. Any business process changes such as the implementation of an LMS, will likely become a success when they align with the specific needs of the business. Implementing an LMS is a critical approach to meeting the transformational needs of a business and thus requires a strategic plan. You can start the planning process by asking your LMS vendor to provide you with a project plan template that will include all the tasks and steps needed to successfully implement the LMS from the vendor’s point of view.

Identify Your Current Training Workflow and the Areas for Improvement

Identifying how your company conducts tutorials and training programmes is key to a successful LMS implementation. Documenting the areas to improve will also help you avoid future setbacks. You can start by knowing the actions you’re planning to streamline, the configurations you will need to integrate the LMS, and the systems with which the LMS will be integrated.

All of these will be determined by your LMS vendor and by the specifics of your implementation. Your LMS vendor should be able to train you on how the product works and then require you to make system configuration decisions according to your knowledge of your business methods and your understanding of their LMS product.

Define and Prioritise Key Processes for Your Deliverables

Defining and prioritising the key processes for your deliverables is crucial to the successful implementation of any LMS. These may include inputting your training materials into the LMS or testing the data migration programming.

To successfully implement an LMS with your deliverables, make a broad implementation step containing your processes and whittle it down into the core tasks that must be executed for your deliverables. For instance, you need to check that your training materials are in a format compatible with the newly integrated LMS, before entering them into the system. Defining and prioritising key actions will make for a successful implementation process.

Overcoming the Challenge of Something New

When implementing a new LMS, change is a big concern. While most employees or trainees are not averse to learning, they can have mental blocks and objections about learning without the direction of a tutor/instructor in a self-paced manner. This kind of potentially negative thinking is one of the greatest challenge to the success of LMS implementations.

To overcome this, ensure you market the LMS well among your staff and stakeholders. Clearly state the benefits of the LMS, both in the short- and long-term. Make directed efforts towards reaching out to the learners and stakeholders, possibly through emails, meetings, banners, presentations, and events. Training sessions and practices should also be held to get the trainees get accustomed to the eLearning software and workings of the new system configuration. Depending on your learner requirements, you will probably also want the LMS to be mobile-enabled in order to allow learners access to learning materials whenever they want.

Selecting the Right LMS

There are several different types of LMS software available out there for eLearning and selecting the right one will ensure the successful implementation of your LMS. Each LMS software application from different competing companies comes with features that vary, although they all have the same core objective.

There are some expensive LMSs that contain features that are way beyond what’s needed by a specific business or institution. On the other hand, there are more cost-effective open-source LMSs that contain features that are more than adequate for businesses and organisations with fewer learners.

Most LMS software can streamline and deliver content to the learners according to their needs. They also monitor the learner’s progress and can make reports on their progress. For businesses that want more, advanced LMSs are equipped to render and manage different types of training content, including audio recordings and videos.

Beyond LMS Implementation

During the planning process, you should also think beyond the implementation. Make decisions to determine:

• Who will maintain the LMS post-implementation?
• How will you train new users on the application system?
• What formatting would you need to use to keep learning and training materials consistent?
• What permissions would you make for LMS data and features?
  

In the virtual classroom, instructor shouldn’t always let their students act as passive viewers. If you always allow online students to become passive learners, most of the time students will probably lose focus. And losing focus means online students do other things than pay attention to their lesson: play online games, check email, and stream videos, for example. In real classrooms, student chat, draw and even sleep if they’re bored. In the virtual classroom, distraction are abundant. A good LMS will have features that ensure students find it easy to use and don’t get bored or distracted.